Wednesday, November 26
Fort Myers, Fla.
3:30 p.m.
Rice University
3-6,0-0American
81
vs
62
Oral Roberts
3-6,0-0Summit League
1
2
F
Oral Roberts
32
30
62
Rice
44
37
81
Rice Closes Coconut Hoops with Dominant 81-62 Victory over Oral Roberts
11/26/2025 6:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Nick Anderson scored 17 of his season-high 22 points in the second half, and Jalen Smith recorded his first career double-double, as Rice closed Coconut Hoops with an 81-62 victory over Oral Roberts, Wednesday night at Alico Arena.
The Story
Smith made a jumper to start the game. But Rice missed its next six shots, as Oral Roberts went on an 8-2 run. But Smith and Trae Broadnax got hot, each making a pair of three-pointers in a 16-5 Rice run. The Owls missed nine of its next 10 shots. But, ORU couldn't take advantage, as Rice made five-of-six free throws to keep the lead. With Rice holding a 25-21 lead, Anderson hit a corner three, and Smith hit a jumper in the paint. Two straight baskets brought the Golden Eagles within five. However, a three from Broadnax sent the Owls on an 11-1 run to take their largest lead of the half, 41-26. After trading threes, Connor Dow's three right before the buzzer sent Rice into halftime leading, 44-32.
Rice continued its strong play in the second half, opening on a 12-4 run over the first four minutes to take its largest lead of the game, 56-36. Two free throws sent Oral Roberts on a 10-4 run, but four straight points by Andrew Akuchie push Rice's lead back to 18. A three from Luke Gray started an 11-4 run that cut Rice's deficit to 68-57 with 5:56 to play. But Smith hit a three, then Anderson scored eight straight points, to put the game away.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"That was a good week. It was a great way to cap off what I though was a week of tremendous growth for our team. We played together. We played tough, hard-nosed defense. We didn't close out the first two games, but I thought we did a great job finishing this game. Our defense really stepped up in the second half."
The Stats
Rice connected on 50.9% (29-of-57) from the field, 57.1% (12-of-21) from three, and 91.7% (11-of-12) from the free throw line. Oral Roberts was held to 38.3% (23-of-60) from the floor, 32.3% (10-of-31) from three, and 60.0% (6-of-103) from the free throw line. Rice also outrebounded the Golden Eagles, 39-to-29.
Notes
• Rice improves to 3-6 on the year.
• Rice and Oral Roberts met for just the fourth time overall and the first time since 2010.
• The Owls hold a 3-1 advantage in the series.
• Rice scored at least 80 points for the third time this year. It is 2-1 when scoring 80 points.
• Rice connected on 50.9% from the field, the second time this year it was at least 50.0% from the floor.
• The Owls shot a season-high 57.1% from three, the second time this year it made at least 50.0% from beyond the arc.
• Rice tied a season-high with 12 three-pointers, the fifth time this season it made at least 10.
• The Owls had a season-high eight blocks, its most since also having eight against Wichita State on Mar. 13, 2024.
• G/F Nick Anderson scored a season-high 22 points, and tied season-highs with four three-pointers and six rebounds.
• It was his ninth game scoring in double-figures this year and the 55th of his career.
• Anderson was four-of-four from the free throw line. He has now made 25 straight free throws, tying Ricky Pierce and Rashid Smith for the fourth longest streak in school history.
• G Jalen Smith recorded his first career double-double, scoring 17 points and pulling down a career-high 10 rebounds.
• It was his seventh game scoring in double-figures this year and the 20th of his career.
• G Trae Broadnax had 13 points and three steals.
• It was his eighth double-figure scoring game this year, and the 80th of his career.
• G Cam Carroll scored 10 points, his second double-figure scoring game this year.
• F Andrew Akuchie scored seven points and had six rebounds.
Next Up
Rice begins a three-game homestand next Wednesday, Dec. 3, when it hosts Texas State. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Smith made a jumper to start the game. But Rice missed its next six shots, as Oral Roberts went on an 8-2 run. But Smith and Trae Broadnax got hot, each making a pair of three-pointers in a 16-5 Rice run. The Owls missed nine of its next 10 shots. But, ORU couldn't take advantage, as Rice made five-of-six free throws to keep the lead. With Rice holding a 25-21 lead, Anderson hit a corner three, and Smith hit a jumper in the paint. Two straight baskets brought the Golden Eagles within five. However, a three from Broadnax sent the Owls on an 11-1 run to take their largest lead of the half, 41-26. After trading threes, Connor Dow's three right before the buzzer sent Rice into halftime leading, 44-32.
Rice continued its strong play in the second half, opening on a 12-4 run over the first four minutes to take its largest lead of the game, 56-36. Two free throws sent Oral Roberts on a 10-4 run, but four straight points by Andrew Akuchie push Rice's lead back to 18. A three from Luke Gray started an 11-4 run that cut Rice's deficit to 68-57 with 5:56 to play. But Smith hit a three, then Anderson scored eight straight points, to put the game away.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"That was a good week. It was a great way to cap off what I though was a week of tremendous growth for our team. We played together. We played tough, hard-nosed defense. We didn't close out the first two games, but I thought we did a great job finishing this game. Our defense really stepped up in the second half."
The Stats
Rice connected on 50.9% (29-of-57) from the field, 57.1% (12-of-21) from three, and 91.7% (11-of-12) from the free throw line. Oral Roberts was held to 38.3% (23-of-60) from the floor, 32.3% (10-of-31) from three, and 60.0% (6-of-103) from the free throw line. Rice also outrebounded the Golden Eagles, 39-to-29.
Notes
• Rice improves to 3-6 on the year.
• Rice and Oral Roberts met for just the fourth time overall and the first time since 2010.
• The Owls hold a 3-1 advantage in the series.
• Rice scored at least 80 points for the third time this year. It is 2-1 when scoring 80 points.
• Rice connected on 50.9% from the field, the second time this year it was at least 50.0% from the floor.
• The Owls shot a season-high 57.1% from three, the second time this year it made at least 50.0% from beyond the arc.
• Rice tied a season-high with 12 three-pointers, the fifth time this season it made at least 10.
• The Owls had a season-high eight blocks, its most since also having eight against Wichita State on Mar. 13, 2024.
• G/F Nick Anderson scored a season-high 22 points, and tied season-highs with four three-pointers and six rebounds.
• It was his ninth game scoring in double-figures this year and the 55th of his career.
• Anderson was four-of-four from the free throw line. He has now made 25 straight free throws, tying Ricky Pierce and Rashid Smith for the fourth longest streak in school history.
• G Jalen Smith recorded his first career double-double, scoring 17 points and pulling down a career-high 10 rebounds.
• It was his seventh game scoring in double-figures this year and the 20th of his career.
• G Trae Broadnax had 13 points and three steals.
• It was his eighth double-figure scoring game this year, and the 80th of his career.
• G Cam Carroll scored 10 points, his second double-figure scoring game this year.
• F Andrew Akuchie scored seven points and had six rebounds.
Next Up
Rice begins a three-game homestand next Wednesday, Dec. 3, when it hosts Texas State. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
ORU
Rice
FG%
.383
.509
3FG%
.323
.571
FT%
.600
.917
RB
29
39
TO
11
10
STL
5
9
Game Leaders
Pts
22
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
4
Pts
17
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG/F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
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