Rice Wins Battle of Owls over Florida Atlantic

Wednesday, February 11

Houston, TX

7 p.m.

Rice University

11-14,5-7American

Florida Atlantic

14-11,6-6American

Fla. Atlantic

Rice

Rice Wins Battle of Owls over Florida Atlantic

2/11/2026 10:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Book (PDF)

By: Tim Andrzejewski (tra3@rice.edu)

HOUSTON — Nick Anderson tied a season-high with 23 points and Trae Broadnax added 20, as Rice held handed Florida Atlantic its fifth straight loss, 81-73, Wednesday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.

The Story
Florida Atlantic jumped out to an early 8-7 lead. But Broadnax hit two straight three-pointers to send Rice on a 15-5 lead over the next 4:34. After an FAU layup, baskets from Anderson and Andrew Akuchie gave Rice a 26-15 lead midway through the first half. However, Florida Atlantic scored the next seven points to pull within four before Bodey Howell's three. The teams then traded baskets. But with Rice holding a 31-26 lead, it closed the final 4:13 scoring nine of the final 10 points to head into halftime with a 40-27 lead.

The teams traded baskets to start the second half before Rice scored seven of 10 points, taking its largest lead of the game, 50-35, 4:32 into the half. FAU then scored eight of 11 points, but Anderson answered with a three. After exchanging buckets, Florida Atlantic began to chip away at the deficit, going on a 12-2 run over the next 3:51 to pull within three. Broadnax made two free throws, but after each team scored, FAU scored seven points, including two three-point plays, tying the game at 66 with 6:30 remaining. Rice, however, came right back. Broadnax made a layup and Anderson drained a three. After each team scored, Josiah Parker converted his third three-point play of the game to get FAU within two. But Jalen Smith scored five straight points, and Florida Atlantic got no closer than six points the rest of the way.

What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"Obviously, it was a good win against a really good program. It's just another step in the right direction on our journey. I feel like we're competing at a pretty good level, and we're putting ourselves in position in these games where we have a chance late. This was one of our better responses to a team coming back and tying the game after we had led the entire way. We stayed with it, made some key shots and got some big stops. I'm proud of the guys. It was an all-around good team win."

The Stats
Rice connected on 32.1% (30-of-63) from the field, 32.1% (9-of-28) from three, and 60.0% (12-of-20) from the free throw line. Florida Atlantic was held to 41.9% (26-of-62) from the floor and 18.8% (3-of-16) from three, but was 18-of-25 (72.0%) from the free throw line. FAU won the rebounding battle, 43-to-33, but Rice scored 18 points off of 10 Florida Atlantic turnovers.

Notes
• Rice improved to 11-14 on the year, and 5-7 in the American Conference.
• Rice moves to 5-8 all-time against Florida Atlantic.
• The win snapped a six-game losing streak to FAU.
• The Owls won for just the second time in Houston, moving to 2-5.
• Ric scored 80 points for the ninth time this season.
• Rice's 40-27 halftime lead was its largest in American Conference play this year.
• G Nick Anderson tied season-highs with 23 points and four three-pointers.
• It was his fourth 20-point game of the year, and the 25^th of his career.
• It is also his 21^st-double-figure scoring game this year, and the 67^th of his career.
• G Trae Broadnax scored 20 points, and had team-highs of six rebounds and five assists.
• It was his seventh 20-point game of the year, and the 14^th of his career.
• It was his team-high 23^rd double-figure scoring game this year, and the 95^th of his career.
• G Jalen Smith scored 16 points, had three assists, and tied a career-high with three steals.
• It was his 17^th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 30^th of his career.
• C Stephen Giwa scored six points and grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
• F Jimmy Oladokun, Jr., added a team-high six rebounds.

Next Up
Rice stays at home this Saturday, Feb. 14, when it hosts East Carolina. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.