Rice Outlasts North Texas in Double Overtime

Wednesday, February 4

Houston, TX

7 p.m.

Rice University

10-13,4-6American

North Texas

12-11,3-7American

OT 1

OT 2

North Texas

Rice

Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics

Rice Outlasts North Texas in Double Overtime

2/4/2026 11:54:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Book (PDF)

By: Tim Andrzejewski (tra3@rice.edu)

HOUSTON — Trae Broadnax and Jalen Smith both recorded double-doubles, as Rice roared back from a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat North Texas in double-overtime, 86-83, Wednesday night from Tudor Fieldhouse.

The Story
Rice started slow, missing eight of its first nine shots. But back-to-back three-pointers from Nick Anderson and Cam Carroll tied the game at nine. The teams traded baskets before a three from Broadnax gave Rice a 14-13 lead. But with the game tied at 17, the Owls missed five straight shots, as North Texas went on an 8-0 run, taking a 25-17 lead with 6:50 left. Eternity Eguagie made one-of-two free throws, and Carroll hit a three to get Rice within four. But after trading baskets, UNT scored seven of the final nine points to take a 34-25 halftime lead.

Rice came out strong to start the second half, making seven of eight free throws in a 13-2 run in the first 4:20 to start the half and take the lead. The squads went back-and-forth, a layup by Jimmy Oladokun, Jr., followed by a three from Smith gave the Owls their largest lead of the game, 49-43. But after trading baskets, UNT used a 13-3 run over the next 6:12 to take a 58-54 lead. But Rice came right back, scoring six of the next seven points to take the lead. North Texas' Cole Franklin made a layup, but Smith drilled a three with just over a minute left. Franklin hit a jumper, and after a Broadnax turnover, Reece Robinson gave the Mean Green the lead with 31 seconds left. But Broadnax was fouled with 2.2 seconds to play, hitting both free throws to send the game to overtime.

Rice immediately grabbed the lead to start overtime when Anderson converted a three-point play. North Texas scored seven of the next 11 points to tie the game at 72. Anderson converted another three-point play. After exchanging buckets, Je'Shawn Stevenson tied the game with a three-pointer. Broadnax hit a jumper, but two UNT free throws tied the game at 79. Smith had a chance to win for the Owls, but his jumper was off the mark, sending the game to a second overtime.

Anderson again started the extra period, this time hitting a three-pointer. Franklin made a jumper, and Stevenson hit two free throws. Broadnax then hit a jumper. The game stayed that way for the next three minutes, as North Texas missed four straight free throws. It was forced to foul with 13 seconds to play, and Broadnax hit both. UNT had a chance to tie it, but Cahmai Crosby missed his three-point attempt, and the Owls hung on for the victory.

The Stats
Rice shot 39.7% (29-of-73) from the field, 31.3% (10-of-32) from three, and 69.2% (18-of-26) from the free throw line. North Texas connected on 41.9% (31-of-74) from the floor, 16.7% (3-of-18) from three, and 66.7% (18-of-27) from the free throw line. Rice also outrebounded the Mean Green, 57-to-43.

What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"In the handshake line, Coach (Daniyal) Robinson said, 'Good fight.' It was going to take a fight to beat (North Texas). We did fight hard tonight. We had 26 offensive rebounds, and you don't do that without giving a tremendous effort. In the first half, their defense really had the effect that they're trying to get. A big key to the game was the way we started the second half. By the time we reached the first media timeout, we had tied the game. Both teams had their chances. It was a great way to get the late game monkey off our back."

Notes
• Rice improved to 10-13 on the year, and 4-6 in the American Conference.
• Rice moves to 10-26 all-time against North Texas.
• The Owls are 7-11 all-time in Houston.
• It was Rice's third overtime game of the year (1-2).
• It was also its first double-overtime game since defeating Evansville in three overtimes on Nov. 22, 2021.
• Rice is 11-3 all-time when playing at least two overtimes.
• Rice scored 80 points for the eighth time this year.
• The 86 points are the most Rice has scored in the series since 2018.
• Rice pulled down a season-high 57 rebounds, the most rebounds since recording 61 against Our Lady of the Lake on Nov. 28, 2020.
• The Owls connected on 10 three-pointers, the 11^th time this year they made at least 10 threes.
• G Trae Broadnax tied a season-high 22 points, grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds, had a game-high seven assists, and added two steals.
• It was his second double-double of the year, and third of his career.
• It was also his team-high sixth 20-point game of the year, and the 13^th of his career.
• It was his team-high 21^st double-figure scoring game this year, and the 93^rd of his career.
• He's the first Owls with a 20 point, 10 rebound game since Quincy Olivari versus WKU on Feb. 18, 2023.
• G Nick Anderson scored 22 points, grabbed a season-high nine rebounds, and had three steals.
• It was his third 20-point game of the year, and the 24^th of his career.
• It is also his 19^th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 65^th of his career.
• It is the third time this year that two players scored 20 points.
• G Jalen Smith recorded his second double-double of the season, scoring 13 points and tying a career-high with 10 rebounds.
• It was also his 15^th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 28^th of his career.
• It's the first time two players recorded double-doubles since Max Fiedler and Cameron Sheffield at UTEP on Dec. 31, 2022.
• F Eternity Eguagie scored 10 points and pulled down four rebounds.
• F Jimmy Oladokun, Jr., scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds.
• C Stephen Giwa grabbed seven rebounds and had three blocks.
• With seven boards, Giwa reached 500 career rebounds.

Next Up
Rice goes back on the road this Sunday, Feb. 8, when it travels to Birmingham, Ala., to face UAB. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.