Rice Battles but Falls at Charlotte

Friday, January 30

Charlotte, NC

6 p.m.

Rice University

9-13,3-6American

Charlotte

13-9,7-2American

Rice

Charlotte

1/30/2026 10:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Book (PDF)

By: Tim Andrzejewski (tra3@rice.edu)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rice cut a 17-point deficit to seven with under two minutes to play, but Charlotte held off the Owls, 80-70, Friday night from Halton Arena.

The Story
Charlotte made its first five shots, jumping out to a 13-9 lead in the first four minutes. Eternity Eguagie made a jumper, and Nick Anderson hit three free throws to give Rice the lead. After Dezayne Mingo made two free throws, the teams traded baskets. With the 49ers holding a 22-18 advantage, Jimmy Oladokun, Jr., made putback layup, as Rice scored seven of the next nine points to go ahead, 25-24, with 5:26 to play in the half. But Charlotte went on a 7-0 run over the next 4:09. Bodey Howell made a jumper, and Anderson made one-of-two free throws. But Charlotte scored six of the last eight points to head into halftime with a 37-30 lead.

The teams exchanged three-pointers to start the second half, Jalen Smith and Anderson hit consecutive threes, as Rice scored eight of 10 points to pull within 44-41. After trading baskets, Smith hit a three to get the Owls within two. But Rice missed 12 of its next 13 shots over the next 9:17, as Charlotte went on a 20-5 run to take a 68-51 lead with 5:28 to play. But the Owls wouldn't go away. Cam Carroll scored on a layup, and Smith hit a three, sending them on a 10-0 run to get within 68-61 with 1:52 remaining. But the 49ers connected on 10 of 12 free throws to close the game and seal the victory.

Damoni Harrison led Charlotte with 15 points, and Anton Bonke recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Stats
Rice was held to 37.1% (23-of-62) from the field, 29.0% (9-of-31) from three, and 71.4% (15-of-21) from the free throw line. Charlotte connected on 51.1% (24-of-47) from the floor, 47.1% (8-of-17) from three, and 75.0% (24-of-23) from the free throw line. Rice outrebounded the 49ers, 40-to-30.

What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"The biggest thing for me is (Charlotte shot) 52% from the field and 47% from three. They're possibly playing the best basketball in the league right now. So your margin for error is not great. This wasn't a matter of not playing hard or playing together. The level that we needed to play at needed to match the level that they're playing at, and we didn't meet that. The message after the game was that there's a big difference between being discouraged and being disappointed. This was a disappointing outcome, but I'm very encouraged with the way we're improving, the way we're playing together, and the spirit of the team. There's a great connection between these guys that I felt a couple of weeks ago I was longing for. I feel that taking place right now."

Notes
• Rice fell to 9-13 on the year, and 3-6 in the American Conference.
• Rice moves to 11-13 all-time against Charlotte.
• The Owls are 4-5 all-time in Charlotte.
• G Nick Anderson led all players with 18 points on four three-pointers.
• It is his 18^th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 64^th of his career.
• G Trae Broadnax scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had a game-high five assists.
• It was his team-high 20^th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 92^nd of his career.
• With 16 points, Broadnax recorded the 1,500^th of his career.
• He also became the 27^th player in school history to reach 200 assists.
• G Jalen Smith scored 11 points.
• It was also his 14^th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 27^th of his career.
• C Stephen Giwa led the Owls with nine rebounds.
• F Jimmy Oladokun, Jr., scored six points, grabbed six rebounds, and had three blocks.

Next Up
Rice returns home this Wednesday, Feb. 4, when it hosts in-state foe North Texas. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.