Saturday, February 22
Houston, TX
1 p.m.
Rice University
13-15,4-11AAC
71
vs
50
Tulsa
11-17,5-10AAC
1
2
F
Tulsa
28
22
50
Rice
43
28
71
Strong Start Propels Rice to 71-50 Win over Tulsa
2/22/2025 4:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON – Rice jumped out to a 21-5 lead and never looked back, sweeping the season series from Tulsa, 71-50, Saturday afternoon from Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Story
Rice came out on fire, making six of its first nine shots to grab a 14-3 lead. After a Tulsa basket, the Owls scored seven straight points, taking its largest lead of the half at 21-5. The Golden Hurricane began to get in a rhythm, going on a 13-6 run to pull within 27-18 with 6:53 to play in the half. But Rice answered, scoring seven straight points to push its lead back to 16. The teams traded baskets over the next 2:36. They went scoreless for most of the half, until Jared Garcia hit a jumper with 28 seconds to play. But, Andrew Akuchie's basket at the buzzer sent Rice into the break with its largest halftime lead of the year, 43-28.
Both teams struggled to start the second half. Rice missed two of its first 12 shots, but Tulsa started 2-of-10 through the first nine minutes, allowing the Owls to keep a nine-point advantage. After a layup by Jimmy Oladokun, Jr., Kellen Amos made five straight free throws. The teams traded baskets, and Tyshawn Archie made two free throws as the Golden Hurricane pulled within 57-45 with 6:20 to play. But a three-point play by Caden Powell, followed by a jumper from Trae Broadnax pushed Rice's lead to 17 and sent it on a 14-5 run to close the game.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"The thing that stands out to me right away is the defensive field goal percentage. (Tulsa) shot 37.0%, reminiscent of the way we started the year. It was a strength of ours. On top of that, (Keaston) Willis is so dynamic as a shooter, and for us to hold him scoreless in the second half was significant as well. At the start of the second half, we got a little bit thirsty. On offense, we had some guys playing to the scoreboard. We talk a lot about just playing the game. It was a great sign of resilience, and that's been a consistent theme. The expectation is that we come out and play well, be competitive, and find a way to finish. This group is getting tougher mentally and the bond is getting stronger through these experiences."
The Stats
Rice connected on 44.8% (26-of-58) from the field, and 33.3% (7-of-21) from three. Tulsa was held to 37.0% (20-of-54) from the floor, 30.4% (7-of-23) from three, and 33.3% (3-of-92) from the free throw line. Rice outrebounded the Golden Hurricane, 45-to-29.
Notes
• Rice and Tulsa met for the 38th time overall.
• Tulsa holds a 30-8 advantage.
• In Houston, the Golden Hurricane lead 10-6.
• Rice snapped a six-game losing streak in the series in Houston, having won for the first time since 2005.
• The Owls have won two straight games in the series for the third time.
• Rice tied a season-high with 43 first half points.
• The 15-point halftime lead was its largest of the year.
• Trae Broadnax scored a game-high 16 points, grabbed six rebounds, and had three assists.
• It was his team-leading 24th double-figure scoring game of the season.
• Kellen Amos scored 13 points and had eight rebounds.
• It was his 13th double-figure scoring game of the year.
• Jimmy Oladokun, Jr., scored a season-high 10 points, his first double-figure scoring game of the year.
• Andrew Akuchie scored eight points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
• Caden Powell posted eight points and eight rebounds.
• George Perkins scored his first career points on a tip-in late in the second half.
• With a three-pointer to start the game, Denver Anglin has now made at least one three in 20 straight games, the longest streak since Carl Pierre made one in 21 straight from Nov. 16, 2021 – Feb. 12, 2022.
Next Up
Rice begins a two-game road trip next Wednesday, February 26, when it travels to No. 22 Memphis. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Rice came out on fire, making six of its first nine shots to grab a 14-3 lead. After a Tulsa basket, the Owls scored seven straight points, taking its largest lead of the half at 21-5. The Golden Hurricane began to get in a rhythm, going on a 13-6 run to pull within 27-18 with 6:53 to play in the half. But Rice answered, scoring seven straight points to push its lead back to 16. The teams traded baskets over the next 2:36. They went scoreless for most of the half, until Jared Garcia hit a jumper with 28 seconds to play. But, Andrew Akuchie's basket at the buzzer sent Rice into the break with its largest halftime lead of the year, 43-28.
Both teams struggled to start the second half. Rice missed two of its first 12 shots, but Tulsa started 2-of-10 through the first nine minutes, allowing the Owls to keep a nine-point advantage. After a layup by Jimmy Oladokun, Jr., Kellen Amos made five straight free throws. The teams traded baskets, and Tyshawn Archie made two free throws as the Golden Hurricane pulled within 57-45 with 6:20 to play. But a three-point play by Caden Powell, followed by a jumper from Trae Broadnax pushed Rice's lead to 17 and sent it on a 14-5 run to close the game.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"The thing that stands out to me right away is the defensive field goal percentage. (Tulsa) shot 37.0%, reminiscent of the way we started the year. It was a strength of ours. On top of that, (Keaston) Willis is so dynamic as a shooter, and for us to hold him scoreless in the second half was significant as well. At the start of the second half, we got a little bit thirsty. On offense, we had some guys playing to the scoreboard. We talk a lot about just playing the game. It was a great sign of resilience, and that's been a consistent theme. The expectation is that we come out and play well, be competitive, and find a way to finish. This group is getting tougher mentally and the bond is getting stronger through these experiences."
The Stats
Rice connected on 44.8% (26-of-58) from the field, and 33.3% (7-of-21) from three. Tulsa was held to 37.0% (20-of-54) from the floor, 30.4% (7-of-23) from three, and 33.3% (3-of-92) from the free throw line. Rice outrebounded the Golden Hurricane, 45-to-29.
Notes
• Rice and Tulsa met for the 38th time overall.
• Tulsa holds a 30-8 advantage.
• In Houston, the Golden Hurricane lead 10-6.
• Rice snapped a six-game losing streak in the series in Houston, having won for the first time since 2005.
• The Owls have won two straight games in the series for the third time.
• Rice tied a season-high with 43 first half points.
• The 15-point halftime lead was its largest of the year.
• Trae Broadnax scored a game-high 16 points, grabbed six rebounds, and had three assists.
• It was his team-leading 24th double-figure scoring game of the season.
• Kellen Amos scored 13 points and had eight rebounds.
• It was his 13th double-figure scoring game of the year.
• Jimmy Oladokun, Jr., scored a season-high 10 points, his first double-figure scoring game of the year.
• Andrew Akuchie scored eight points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
• Caden Powell posted eight points and eight rebounds.
• George Perkins scored his first career points on a tip-in late in the second half.
• With a three-pointer to start the game, Denver Anglin has now made at least one three in 20 straight games, the longest streak since Carl Pierre made one in 21 straight from Nov. 16, 2021 – Feb. 12, 2022.
Next Up
Rice begins a two-game road trip next Wednesday, February 26, when it travels to No. 22 Memphis. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Tulsa
Rice
FG%
.370
.448
3FG%
.304
.333
FT%
.333
.571
RB
29
45
TO
7
6
STL
3
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
13
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG/F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
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