Early Deficit Dooms Rice against Stephen F. Austin

HOUSTON — The Rice men's basketball team fell behind early and could never catch up, falling to Stephen F. Austin, 81-69, Tuesday night from Tudor Fieldhouse.

The Story
Stephen F. Austin jumped out to an 8-2 lead. Five straight points from Nick Anderson cut the deficit to one. The teams traded baskets over the next four minutes. SFA scored nine of the next 12 points to take a 27-18 lead. Rice made four straight free throws. However, the Lumberjacks went on a 9-3 run, taking its largest lead of the half, 36-25, with 4:42 to play. But Rice scored the final six points of the half to head into the break trailing, 36-31.

The teams traded baskets over the first two minutes of the second half. However, the Owls missed nine of their next 10 shots, as Stephen F. Austin went on a 13-2 run over the next six minutes, taking its largest lead of the game, 54-38. The teams went back-and-forth, through the next three minutes before Rice went on a 12-4 run to pull within 67-59 with 3:31 to play. But that's as close as the Owls would get.

The Stats
Rice was held to 35.1% (20-of-57) from the field, but connected on 42.9% (6-of-14) from three. It also was 23-of-34 (67.6%) from the free throw line. Stephen F. Austin connected on 49.1% (27-of-55) from the floor, 43.5% (10-of-23), and was 17-of-23 (73.9%) from the charity stripe. Rice also outrebounded the Lumberjacks, 39-to-36.

Notes
• Rice drops to 1-2 on the year.
• Rice falls to 9-11 in the series against Stephen F. Austin.
• G Trae Broadnax scored a season-high 21 points and grabbed three rebounds.
• It was his third game scoring in double-figures and the 75^th of his career.
• It was also his eight career 20-point game.
• Broadnax was a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line. He's the first player since Robert Martin against North Texas on Dec. 29, 2018 to be perfect from the free throw line with at least 10 attempts.
• F Eternity Eguagie scored 12 points and grabbed a season-high six rebounds.
• It was his second game this year scoring double-figures.
• G Nick Anderson scored 12 points, and had three rebounds.
• It was his third game scoring in double-figures this year and the 49^th of his career.
• F Jimmy Oladokun, Jr. recorded his second career double-double scoring 10 points and grabbing a career-high 11 rebounds.
• He also had a career-high four blocks.

Next Up
Rice closes its two-game homestand this Friday, Nov. 14, when it hosts East Texas A&M. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.

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