Saturday, December 20
Malibu, CA
8 p.m.
Rice University
6-7,0-0American
62
at
84
Pepperdine
5-8,0-0WCC
1
2
F
Rice
29
33
62
Pepperdine
36
48
84
Rice Falls to Pepperdine in Non-Conference Finale
12/20/2025 11:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MALIBU, Calif. — Rice was held to just 33.3% shooting as it dropped it's non-conference finale at Pepperdine, 84-62, Saturday night at Firestone Fieldhouse.
The Story
Rice made just two of its first eight shots and Pepperdine opened the game leading 8-5. After trading baskets, Trae Broadnax made two free throws as Rice went on a 9-3 run, taking a 17-16 lead. Following a Waves basket, Broadnax hit a three. But, Pepperdine went on a 10-2 run as Rice went cold, missing 10 straight shots. Broadnax made two free throws and Nick Anderson hit a three as the Owls scored seven of the next 10 points to pull within 31-29 with 2:15 to play. But the Waves scored the last five points of the half to head into halftime with a 36-29 lead.
Pepperdine scored seven of the second half's first nine points. The teams went back-and-forth before Jalen Smith made a three and Eternity Eguagie made two free throws to pull the Owls within nine. But a 10-4 run gave the Waves a 60-45 lead with 11:38 remaining. After trading baskets, Rice went on a 7-0 run to get within nine. But with Pepperdine leading, 65-56, with 6:50 to play, the Waves hit three straight threes to go on a 14-2 run over the next 4:29, putting the game away.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 33.3% (21-of-63) from the field, 25.0% (5-of-20) from three, and 68.2% (15-of-22) from the free throw line. Pepperdine connected on 49.2% (29-of-59) from the floor, 54.2% (13-of-24) from three, and 81.3% (13-of-16) from the free throw line. The teams tied in rebounds, each pulling down 37.
Notes
• Rice falls to 6-7 on the year.
• Rice moves to 2-4 all-time against Pepperdine.
• The Owls are 0-3 at Pepperdine.
• G Trae Broadnax led the team with 19 points and had a game and season-high eight rebounds.
• It was his team-leading 12th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 84th of his career.
• G Jalen Smith scored eight points and had a team-high four assists.
• F Eternity Eguagie scored nine points.
• F Jimmy Oladokun scored six points and had six rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will take a break for Christmas before returning to the court when it opens American Conference play at Tulsa on Dec. 31. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised by ESPNU.
The Story
Rice made just two of its first eight shots and Pepperdine opened the game leading 8-5. After trading baskets, Trae Broadnax made two free throws as Rice went on a 9-3 run, taking a 17-16 lead. Following a Waves basket, Broadnax hit a three. But, Pepperdine went on a 10-2 run as Rice went cold, missing 10 straight shots. Broadnax made two free throws and Nick Anderson hit a three as the Owls scored seven of the next 10 points to pull within 31-29 with 2:15 to play. But the Waves scored the last five points of the half to head into halftime with a 36-29 lead.
Pepperdine scored seven of the second half's first nine points. The teams went back-and-forth before Jalen Smith made a three and Eternity Eguagie made two free throws to pull the Owls within nine. But a 10-4 run gave the Waves a 60-45 lead with 11:38 remaining. After trading baskets, Rice went on a 7-0 run to get within nine. But with Pepperdine leading, 65-56, with 6:50 to play, the Waves hit three straight threes to go on a 14-2 run over the next 4:29, putting the game away.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 33.3% (21-of-63) from the field, 25.0% (5-of-20) from three, and 68.2% (15-of-22) from the free throw line. Pepperdine connected on 49.2% (29-of-59) from the floor, 54.2% (13-of-24) from three, and 81.3% (13-of-16) from the free throw line. The teams tied in rebounds, each pulling down 37.
Notes
• Rice falls to 6-7 on the year.
• Rice moves to 2-4 all-time against Pepperdine.
• The Owls are 0-3 at Pepperdine.
• G Trae Broadnax led the team with 19 points and had a game and season-high eight rebounds.
• It was his team-leading 12th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 84th of his career.
• G Jalen Smith scored eight points and had a team-high four assists.
• F Eternity Eguagie scored nine points.
• F Jimmy Oladokun scored six points and had six rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will take a break for Christmas before returning to the court when it opens American Conference play at Tulsa on Dec. 31. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised by ESPNU.
Team Stats
Rice
PEP
FG%
.333
.492
3FG%
.250
.542
FT%
.682
.813
RB
37
37
TO
13
16
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
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