Anderson’s 29 Not Enough as Rice Falls to Tulane

Sunday, February 22

New Orleans, LA

1 p.m.

Rice University

11-16,5-9American

Tulane

17-10,8-6American

Rice

Tulane

Anderson’s 29 Not Enough as Rice Falls to Tulane

2/22/2026 4:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Book (PDF)

By: Tim Andrzejewski (tra3@rice.edu)

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Nick Anderson scored a season-high 29 points, but it was not enough, as Rice fell at Tulane, 81-75, Sunday afternoon from Devlin Fieldhouse.

The Story
Tulane made its first four baskets, jumping out to an 11-7 lead in the first four minutes. The teams went back-and-forth over the next five minutes. But with Tulane holding a 17-13 lead, Bodey Howell's three-pointer send the Owls on an 8-0 run. The Green Wave retook the lead with six straight points. But Nick Anderson hit two free throws, and Howell made his second as Rice took a 30-23 lead with 4:41 to play. However, Rice missed four of its last five shots, as Tulane closed the half on a 13-3 run to lead 36-33 at the break.

The teams exchanged threes to start to the second half. But Asher Woods and Curtis Williams, Jr., knocked down consecutive threes to send the Green Wave on a 15-2 run over the next 5:24, taking its largest lead of the game at 54-38. The Owls, though, wouldn't go away. Trae Broadnax turned a steal into a layup, sending Rice on an 11-2 run. Tulane pushed the lead back to 11 before Anderson connected on five straight free throws. After Woods made one-of-two free throws, Broadnax and Anderson made driving layups, pulling the Owls within 63-58 with 4:25 to play. But the Green Wave scored nine of the next 11 points, pushing the lead back to 12. Broadnax made a pair of free throws, and Wood made three-of-four. Anderson then made two, and Jalen Smith hit a three. After Woods made one-of-two, Broadnax hit a three to get the Owls within six with 23 seconds to play. But Tulane made five-of-six free throws to close the game.

The Stats
Rice shot 42.9 held to 38.2% (24-of-56) from the field, 40.7% (11-of-27) from three, and 80.0% (16-of-20) from the free throw line. Tulane connected on 47.9% (23-of-48) from the floor, 41.4% (12-of-29) from three, and 74.2% (23-of-31) from the free throw line. Tulane also won the rebounding battle, 34-to-27.

Notes
• Rice dropped to 11-16 on the year, and 5-9 in the American Conference.
• Rice moves to 26-31 all-time against Tulane.
• The Owls are now 8-22 in New Orleans.
• Rice connected on 11 three-pointers, the 12^th time this year it made at least 10 threes.
• G Nick Anderson scored a season-high 29 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
• It was his fifth 20-point game of the year, and the 26^th of his career.
• It was also his 22^nd double-figure scoring game this year, and the 68^th of his career.
• He is the first player with at least 29 points and seven rebounds since Quincy Olivari (34 points, 12 rebounds) against WKU on Feb. 18, 2023.
• G Trae Broadnax scored 16 points and had a game-high six assists.
• It was his team-high 25^th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 97^th of his career.
• G Bodey Howell scored nine points on three three-pointers.

Next Up
Rice returns home next Wednesday, Feb. 25, when it hosts South Florida. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.