Saturday, February 8
Charlotte, NC
2:30 p.m.
Rice University
12-12,3-8AAC
75
at
78
Charlotte
9-15,2-9AAC
1
2
F
Rice
41
34
75
Charlotte
35
43
78
Hot Shooting Not Enough as Rice Falls at Charlotte
2/8/2025 5:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Rice connected on 52.3% from the floor and a season-high 52.6% from three, but Charlotte made 13 three-pointers, as the Owls fell, 78-75, Saturday afternoon at Halton Arena
The Story
Rice started strong, making six of its first seven shots, including three three-pointers, to jump out to a 17-6 lead through the first six minutes. Charlotte scored nine of the next 11 points to cut the deficit to four, but the Owls responded with a 12-0 run over the next 6:03 to take its largest lead of the game, 31-15, with 6:51 to play in the half. Charlotte, though, wouldn't go away. The 49ers used a 12-2 run to pull within six. Caden Powell converted a three-point play, and Denver Anglin made two free throws to push the lead back to double-digits. But, the 49ers scored eight of the final 11 points, as Rice went into halftime with a 41-35 lead.
Charlotte scored the first five points of the second half to cut the deficit to one. After Andrew Akuchie converted a three-point play, the teams traded threes. However, a three by Nik Graves sent the 49ers on a 10-0 run, taking its first lead, 53-47. Rice came right back, going on a 12-2 run, as Alem Huseinovic's second three of the game gave Rice a 59-55 lead with 9:20 to play. But Charlotte responded with a 13-2 run, grabbing its largest lead of the game at 68-61. Rice scored six straight, but so did the 49ers. With 3:15 remaining and Charlotte holding a 74-67 lead, Trae Broadnax made two free throws, and Huseinovic connected on a three to pull the Owls within 74-72 with 2:13 to play. Charlotte had two chances, but Rice got a stop. Broadnax then missed a jumper, and the 49ers got the rebound. Graves and Broadnax each went one-of-two from the line. Graves then made two free throws to make it a two-possession game. Broadnax had a chance to inch the Owls closer, but he missed two free throws. Jaeshon Thomas then made one-of-two to make it a 78-73 game. Broadnax drove in for a layup and was fouled with 2.5 seconds to play. He missed the foul attempt on purpose, but Caden Powell's last ditch three-point attempt was off the mark.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"I thought this game came down to toughness, and our lack thereof down the stretch. We gave up three or four offensive rebounds to a team that's not known for offensive rebounding. They only had six for the game. There were two or three when it was critical and we needed the ball back. (Charlotte) made some shots. It's a credit to them. Defensively, they were shooting 41% at the half and finished the game at 45%. But at one point in the second half, they were shooting close to 60%, and I think that's where the game kind of changed. It was similar to the USF game. We kind of controlled the game. Coming out in the first four minutes (of the second half), we had a chance to put our stamp on the game, and we didn't do it. We needed a little more toughness."
The Stats
Rice connected on 52.3% (23-of-44) from the field, 52.6% (10-of-19) from three, and 73.1% (19-of-26) from the free throw line. Charlotte shot 45.1% (23-of-51) from the floor, 46.4% (13-of-28) from three, and 82.6% (19-of-23) from the free throw line. The teams each had 27 rebounds.
Notes
• Rice and Charlotte met for the second time this year and the 21st time overall.
• Rice holds an 11-10 advantage in the series.
• In Charlotte, the series is tied, 4-4.
• Rice connected on 52.3% from the floor, the third time this year it made at least 50.0% from the field.
• The Owls hit a season-high 52.6% from three, the second time this year it made at least 50.0% from beyond the arc.
• Rice connected on 10 three-pointers, the seventh time this season it has made at least 10.
• Trae Broadnax scored a season-high 21 points, while recording a game-high four assists.
• Denver Anglin scored 10 points and tied a career-high with five rebounds.
• Jacob Dar scored 10 points.
• Caden Powell scored seven points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
• Alem Huseinovic scored nine points on three, three-pointers.
Next Up
Rice returns home on Tuesday, Feb. 11, for a nationally-televised game against North Texas. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT and the game will be televised by ESPNU.
The Story
Rice started strong, making six of its first seven shots, including three three-pointers, to jump out to a 17-6 lead through the first six minutes. Charlotte scored nine of the next 11 points to cut the deficit to four, but the Owls responded with a 12-0 run over the next 6:03 to take its largest lead of the game, 31-15, with 6:51 to play in the half. Charlotte, though, wouldn't go away. The 49ers used a 12-2 run to pull within six. Caden Powell converted a three-point play, and Denver Anglin made two free throws to push the lead back to double-digits. But, the 49ers scored eight of the final 11 points, as Rice went into halftime with a 41-35 lead.
Charlotte scored the first five points of the second half to cut the deficit to one. After Andrew Akuchie converted a three-point play, the teams traded threes. However, a three by Nik Graves sent the 49ers on a 10-0 run, taking its first lead, 53-47. Rice came right back, going on a 12-2 run, as Alem Huseinovic's second three of the game gave Rice a 59-55 lead with 9:20 to play. But Charlotte responded with a 13-2 run, grabbing its largest lead of the game at 68-61. Rice scored six straight, but so did the 49ers. With 3:15 remaining and Charlotte holding a 74-67 lead, Trae Broadnax made two free throws, and Huseinovic connected on a three to pull the Owls within 74-72 with 2:13 to play. Charlotte had two chances, but Rice got a stop. Broadnax then missed a jumper, and the 49ers got the rebound. Graves and Broadnax each went one-of-two from the line. Graves then made two free throws to make it a two-possession game. Broadnax had a chance to inch the Owls closer, but he missed two free throws. Jaeshon Thomas then made one-of-two to make it a 78-73 game. Broadnax drove in for a layup and was fouled with 2.5 seconds to play. He missed the foul attempt on purpose, but Caden Powell's last ditch three-point attempt was off the mark.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"I thought this game came down to toughness, and our lack thereof down the stretch. We gave up three or four offensive rebounds to a team that's not known for offensive rebounding. They only had six for the game. There were two or three when it was critical and we needed the ball back. (Charlotte) made some shots. It's a credit to them. Defensively, they were shooting 41% at the half and finished the game at 45%. But at one point in the second half, they were shooting close to 60%, and I think that's where the game kind of changed. It was similar to the USF game. We kind of controlled the game. Coming out in the first four minutes (of the second half), we had a chance to put our stamp on the game, and we didn't do it. We needed a little more toughness."
The Stats
Rice connected on 52.3% (23-of-44) from the field, 52.6% (10-of-19) from three, and 73.1% (19-of-26) from the free throw line. Charlotte shot 45.1% (23-of-51) from the floor, 46.4% (13-of-28) from three, and 82.6% (19-of-23) from the free throw line. The teams each had 27 rebounds.
Notes
• Rice and Charlotte met for the second time this year and the 21st time overall.
• Rice holds an 11-10 advantage in the series.
• In Charlotte, the series is tied, 4-4.
• Rice connected on 52.3% from the floor, the third time this year it made at least 50.0% from the field.
• The Owls hit a season-high 52.6% from three, the second time this year it made at least 50.0% from beyond the arc.
• Rice connected on 10 three-pointers, the seventh time this season it has made at least 10.
• Trae Broadnax scored a season-high 21 points, while recording a game-high four assists.
• Denver Anglin scored 10 points and tied a career-high with five rebounds.
• Jacob Dar scored 10 points.
• Caden Powell scored seven points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
• Alem Huseinovic scored nine points on three, three-pointers.
Next Up
Rice returns home on Tuesday, Feb. 11, for a nationally-televised game against North Texas. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT and the game will be televised by ESPNU.
Team Stats
Rice
CLT
FG%
.523
.451
3FG%
.526
.464
FT%
.731
.826
RB
27
27
TO
7
6
STL
4
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
10
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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