Friday, November 7
Eugene, OR
9 p.m.
Rice University
1-1,0-0American
63
at
67
Oregon
2-0,0-0Big Ten
1
2
F
Rice
32
31
63
Oregon
27
40
67
Rice Drops Tough Battle at RV Oregon
11/8/2025 12:49:00 AM | Men's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. — The Rice men's basketball team battled throughout in its first road game of the season before falling in a tough game against Oregon, Friday night from Matthew Knight Arena.
The Story
Rice came out strong, starting four-of-seven to take an 11-4 lead behind two three-pointers from Trae Broadnax and one from Nick Anderson. But Oregon, who is receiving votes in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls, went on an 8-0 run over the next 4:13. Rice retook the lead on jumpers from Broadnax and Jalen Smith. But the Ducks again went on an 8-0 run, taking its largest lead of the half at 20-15 with 7:58 to play. The Owls stepped up their defense, as UO missed eight straight shots while Rice went on a 9-0 run, capped off by a three from Dallas Hobbs. Four Oregon free throws tied the game at 24. But the Owls got back-to-back threes from Jalen Smith and Andrew Akuchie, as they scored eight of the final 11 points of the half to head into the break with a 32-27 lead.
After the teams traded baskets to begin the second half, Smith drilled a three to give Rice its largest lead of the game, 37-29. However, Rice missed 14 of its next 15 shots, and Oregon countered with a 20-3 run to take its largest lead at 52-43 with 7:32 to play. But the Owls wouldn't go away. Jimmy Oladokun, Jr. converted a three-point play, Smith hit a three to make it a three-point game. The teams then went back-and-forth. With the Ducks holding a 56-52 lead, made seven of eight free throws, and Anderson hit a three. Anderson then made one-of-two free throws, and Broadnax hit a jumper to pull within five with 26 seconds remaining. But Oregon made four straight free throws to seal the game.
Nate Bittle led the Ducks with 25 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks.
The Stats
Rice connected on 35.5% (22-of-62) from the field, 40.7% (11-of-27) from three, and 72.7% (8-of-11) from the free throw line. Oregon was held to 32.7% (17-of-52) from the floor and 25.0% (7-of-28), but was 26-of-38 (68.4%) from the charity stripe. Rice was also outrebounded, 43-to-36.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"I was certainly proud of the effort. From an execution standpoint, we weren't great. We put them on the free throw line 38 times. That's just too many. Too come on somebody's home court and hold them to 32.0% from the field is good, but we gave up a few too many offensive rebounds. Offensively, we turned into a jump shooting team against their length, and we didn't score enough in the paint. But, we kept scrapping. I think we've got something to build on."
Next Up
Rice begins a two-game homestand next Tuesday, Nov. 11, when it hosts Stephen F. Austin. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed at ESPN+.
Notes
• Rice drops to 1-1 on the year.
• Rice falls to 1-4 in the series against Oregon.
• The Owls connected on 11 three-pointers, the second straight game it made at least 10 threes.
• G Trae Broadnax scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed five rebounds.
• It was his second game scoring in double-figures and the 74th of his career.
• G Nick Anderson scored 16 points, had three rebounds and two steals.
• It was his second game scoring in double-figures and the 48th of his career.
• G Jalen Smith scored 14 points and had a game-high five assists.
• He also connected on four threes for the second straight game.
• It was his second game scoring in double-figures and the 15th of his career.
• C Stephen Giwa led all players with nine rebounds.
The Story
Rice came out strong, starting four-of-seven to take an 11-4 lead behind two three-pointers from Trae Broadnax and one from Nick Anderson. But Oregon, who is receiving votes in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls, went on an 8-0 run over the next 4:13. Rice retook the lead on jumpers from Broadnax and Jalen Smith. But the Ducks again went on an 8-0 run, taking its largest lead of the half at 20-15 with 7:58 to play. The Owls stepped up their defense, as UO missed eight straight shots while Rice went on a 9-0 run, capped off by a three from Dallas Hobbs. Four Oregon free throws tied the game at 24. But the Owls got back-to-back threes from Jalen Smith and Andrew Akuchie, as they scored eight of the final 11 points of the half to head into the break with a 32-27 lead.
After the teams traded baskets to begin the second half, Smith drilled a three to give Rice its largest lead of the game, 37-29. However, Rice missed 14 of its next 15 shots, and Oregon countered with a 20-3 run to take its largest lead at 52-43 with 7:32 to play. But the Owls wouldn't go away. Jimmy Oladokun, Jr. converted a three-point play, Smith hit a three to make it a three-point game. The teams then went back-and-forth. With the Ducks holding a 56-52 lead, made seven of eight free throws, and Anderson hit a three. Anderson then made one-of-two free throws, and Broadnax hit a jumper to pull within five with 26 seconds remaining. But Oregon made four straight free throws to seal the game.
Nate Bittle led the Ducks with 25 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks.
The Stats
Rice connected on 35.5% (22-of-62) from the field, 40.7% (11-of-27) from three, and 72.7% (8-of-11) from the free throw line. Oregon was held to 32.7% (17-of-52) from the floor and 25.0% (7-of-28), but was 26-of-38 (68.4%) from the charity stripe. Rice was also outrebounded, 43-to-36.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"I was certainly proud of the effort. From an execution standpoint, we weren't great. We put them on the free throw line 38 times. That's just too many. Too come on somebody's home court and hold them to 32.0% from the field is good, but we gave up a few too many offensive rebounds. Offensively, we turned into a jump shooting team against their length, and we didn't score enough in the paint. But, we kept scrapping. I think we've got something to build on."
Next Up
Rice begins a two-game homestand next Tuesday, Nov. 11, when it hosts Stephen F. Austin. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed at ESPN+.
Notes
• Rice drops to 1-1 on the year.
• Rice falls to 1-4 in the series against Oregon.
• The Owls connected on 11 three-pointers, the second straight game it made at least 10 threes.
• G Trae Broadnax scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed five rebounds.
• It was his second game scoring in double-figures and the 74th of his career.
• G Nick Anderson scored 16 points, had three rebounds and two steals.
• It was his second game scoring in double-figures and the 48th of his career.
• G Jalen Smith scored 14 points and had a game-high five assists.
• He also connected on four threes for the second straight game.
• It was his second game scoring in double-figures and the 15th of his career.
• C Stephen Giwa led all players with nine rebounds.
Team Stats
Rice
Oregon
FG%
.355
.327
3FG%
.407
.250
FT%
.727
.684
RB
36
43
TO
14
12
STL
7
8
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG/F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
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