Rice University Athletics
Rice Drops Tough Game at UAB
2/8/2026 7:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A 14-2 run midway through the second half turned an eight-point Rice lead into a 71-65 loss to UAB, Sunday afternoon from Bartow Arena.
The Story
Rice jumped out to an early 7-3 lead. But UAB grabbed the lead with five straight points. The teams exchanged leads over the next 3:22. With the Blazers holding a 15-14 lead, Bodey Howell hit two straight three-pointers, and Trey Patterson got a tip-in, as Rice took its largest lead of the half, 22-15, midway through the first half. But UAB answered with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 24. A three from Nick Anderson sent Rice on a 7-2 run. However, the Owls missed eight of its final nine shots, as the Blazers scored eight of the last 10 points to head into halftime with a 34-33 lead.
UAB opened the second half scoring seven of the first nine points. scored seven straight points. However, a three from Jalen Smith sent Rice on an 18-4 run over the next 5:10, as the Owls took its largest lead of the game, 53-45. But Rice missed six of its next seven shots as UAB went on a 14-2 run, taking a 59-55 lead. Rice scored six of the next seven points, including a three from Smith that gave the Owls a 61-60 lead with 4:19 remaining. The Blazers, however, went on a 9-0 run to go up by eight with 1:00 to play. Two baskets from Trae Broadnax pulled the Owls within 69-65, but they could not get any closer.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 38.2% (26-of-68) from the field, 28.6% (8-of-28) from three, and 50.0% (5-of-10) from the free throw line. UAB shot 41.3% (26-of-63) from the floor, 27.3% (6-of-22) from three, and 61.9% (13-of-21) from the free throw line. Rice also outrebounded the Blazers, 44-to-43.
Notes
• Rice fell to 10-14 on the year, and 4-7 in the American Conference.
• Rice moves to 4-23 all-time against UAB.
• The Owls are 2-12 all-time in Birmingham.
• G Trae Broadnax scored a team-high 15 points, grabbed five rebounds, and had three assists.
• It was his team-high 22nd double-figure scoring game this year, and the 94th of his career.
• G Nick Anderson scored 12 points and had eight rebounds.
• It is also his 20th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 66th of his career.
• G Bodey Howell tied a season-high with 11 points on three three-pointers.
• It was his third double-figure scoring game this year.
• F Jimmy Oladokun, Jr., scored nine points and grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds.
Next Up
Rice begins a stretch of three of four games at home next Wednesday, Feb. 11, when it hosts Florida Atlantic. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Rice jumped out to an early 7-3 lead. But UAB grabbed the lead with five straight points. The teams exchanged leads over the next 3:22. With the Blazers holding a 15-14 lead, Bodey Howell hit two straight three-pointers, and Trey Patterson got a tip-in, as Rice took its largest lead of the half, 22-15, midway through the first half. But UAB answered with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 24. A three from Nick Anderson sent Rice on a 7-2 run. However, the Owls missed eight of its final nine shots, as the Blazers scored eight of the last 10 points to head into halftime with a 34-33 lead.
UAB opened the second half scoring seven of the first nine points. scored seven straight points. However, a three from Jalen Smith sent Rice on an 18-4 run over the next 5:10, as the Owls took its largest lead of the game, 53-45. But Rice missed six of its next seven shots as UAB went on a 14-2 run, taking a 59-55 lead. Rice scored six of the next seven points, including a three from Smith that gave the Owls a 61-60 lead with 4:19 remaining. The Blazers, however, went on a 9-0 run to go up by eight with 1:00 to play. Two baskets from Trae Broadnax pulled the Owls within 69-65, but they could not get any closer.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 38.2% (26-of-68) from the field, 28.6% (8-of-28) from three, and 50.0% (5-of-10) from the free throw line. UAB shot 41.3% (26-of-63) from the floor, 27.3% (6-of-22) from three, and 61.9% (13-of-21) from the free throw line. Rice also outrebounded the Blazers, 44-to-43.
Notes
• Rice fell to 10-14 on the year, and 4-7 in the American Conference.
• Rice moves to 4-23 all-time against UAB.
• The Owls are 2-12 all-time in Birmingham.
• G Trae Broadnax scored a team-high 15 points, grabbed five rebounds, and had three assists.
• It was his team-high 22nd double-figure scoring game this year, and the 94th of his career.
• G Nick Anderson scored 12 points and had eight rebounds.
• It is also his 20th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 66th of his career.
• G Bodey Howell tied a season-high with 11 points on three three-pointers.
• It was his third double-figure scoring game this year.
• F Jimmy Oladokun, Jr., scored nine points and grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds.
Next Up
Rice begins a stretch of three of four games at home next Wednesday, Feb. 11, when it hosts Florida Atlantic. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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