Wednesday, March 12
Denton, TX
12 p.m.
Rice University
13-19,4-14AAC
61
vs
64
Charlotte
11-21,3-15AAC
1
2
F
Charlotte
23
41
64
Rice
34
27
61
Rice Falls to Charlotte in First Round of AAC Tournament
3/12/2025 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DENTON, Texas – Rice was held to just 34.6% in the second half and was 1-of-13 from three for the game as it fell, 64-61, to Charlotte in the first round of the AAC Tournament, Wednesday afternoon from the Super Pit.
The Story
Rice struggled out of the gate, making just three of its first 11 shots as Charlotte jumped out to an 11-5 lead in the first five minutes. Jacob Dar and Emory Lanier had back-to-back baskets before a Charlotte layup pushed their lead to 13-9. Caden Powell and Kellen Amos then made layups to tie the game at 13. Robert Braswell made one-of-two free throws, but the Owls stepped up their defense. After Amos converted a three-point play, Nik Graves made three free throws. An Amos jumper then sent Rice on an 8-0 run. Charlotte made two free throws, and the teams traded baskets. But the Owls closed the half on an 8-3 run to take a 34-23 lead into the break.
The 49ers hit two three-pointers as it opened the second half on a 10-2 run. After trading baskets, an Amos dunk and three from Jacob Dar pushed Rice's lead to 43-35. Charlotte scored six of the next eight points, but consecutive baskets from Trae Broadnax gave Rice a 49-41 lead with 10:35 to play. However, the Owls went cold. Charlotte scored seven straight points. Caden Powell made two free throws, but the 49ers went on an 8-2 run to take a 56-53 lead. After both teams made free throws, Powell and Broadnax made layups to give Rice a 59-58 lead with 2:00 left. But Charlotte made back-to-back buckets. Denver Anglin then made two free throws to cut the deficit to one. Broadnax then got a steal. After timeout. Rice had a chance to take the lead, but Broadnax's jumper was off the mark. Charlotte extended its lead to three with two free throws. With 3.4 seconds to play, Rice tried to get a three, but Anglin could not control the inbounds pass.
The Stats
Rice was held to 41.8% (23-of-55) from the field, and just 7.7% (1-of-13) from three. The Owls held Charlotte to 38.6% (17-of-44) from the floor, and 22.2% (4-of-18) from three. The Owls outrebounded Charlotte, 35-to-29, but the 49ers were 26-of-34 (76.5%) from the free throw line, while Rice was 14-of-22 (63.6%).
Notes
• Rice and Charlotte met for the third time this year and the 22nd time overall.
• The series is tied at 11.
• On neutral courts, Rice is 1-2.
• This was the third meeting in conference tournament play, and the first since 2022. The Owls are 1-2 in tournament action.
• Kellen Amos had team-highs of 15 points and four assits.
• It was his 16th double-figure scoring game of the year.
• Caden Powell had 14 points and seven rebounds.
• It was his 16th double-figure scoring game of the year.
• Jacob Dar scored 10 points and grabbed a season-high nine rebounds.
The Story
Rice struggled out of the gate, making just three of its first 11 shots as Charlotte jumped out to an 11-5 lead in the first five minutes. Jacob Dar and Emory Lanier had back-to-back baskets before a Charlotte layup pushed their lead to 13-9. Caden Powell and Kellen Amos then made layups to tie the game at 13. Robert Braswell made one-of-two free throws, but the Owls stepped up their defense. After Amos converted a three-point play, Nik Graves made three free throws. An Amos jumper then sent Rice on an 8-0 run. Charlotte made two free throws, and the teams traded baskets. But the Owls closed the half on an 8-3 run to take a 34-23 lead into the break.
The 49ers hit two three-pointers as it opened the second half on a 10-2 run. After trading baskets, an Amos dunk and three from Jacob Dar pushed Rice's lead to 43-35. Charlotte scored six of the next eight points, but consecutive baskets from Trae Broadnax gave Rice a 49-41 lead with 10:35 to play. However, the Owls went cold. Charlotte scored seven straight points. Caden Powell made two free throws, but the 49ers went on an 8-2 run to take a 56-53 lead. After both teams made free throws, Powell and Broadnax made layups to give Rice a 59-58 lead with 2:00 left. But Charlotte made back-to-back buckets. Denver Anglin then made two free throws to cut the deficit to one. Broadnax then got a steal. After timeout. Rice had a chance to take the lead, but Broadnax's jumper was off the mark. Charlotte extended its lead to three with two free throws. With 3.4 seconds to play, Rice tried to get a three, but Anglin could not control the inbounds pass.
The Stats
Rice was held to 41.8% (23-of-55) from the field, and just 7.7% (1-of-13) from three. The Owls held Charlotte to 38.6% (17-of-44) from the floor, and 22.2% (4-of-18) from three. The Owls outrebounded Charlotte, 35-to-29, but the 49ers were 26-of-34 (76.5%) from the free throw line, while Rice was 14-of-22 (63.6%).
Notes
• Rice and Charlotte met for the third time this year and the 22nd time overall.
• The series is tied at 11.
• On neutral courts, Rice is 1-2.
• This was the third meeting in conference tournament play, and the first since 2022. The Owls are 1-2 in tournament action.
• Kellen Amos had team-highs of 15 points and four assits.
• It was his 16th double-figure scoring game of the year.
• Caden Powell had 14 points and seven rebounds.
• It was his 16th double-figure scoring game of the year.
• Jacob Dar scored 10 points and grabbed a season-high nine rebounds.
Team Stats
CLT
Rice
FG%
.386
.418
3FG%
.222
.077
FT%
.765
.636
RB
29
35
TO
10
10
STL
3
5
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
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