Rice Earns Road Win at Temple

Sunday, March 1

Philadelphia, PA

1 p.m.

Rice University

12-17,6-10American

Temple

15-14,7-9American

Rice

Temple

3/1/2026 4:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Book (PDF)

By: Tim Andrzejewski (tra3@rice.edu)

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Rice shot 51.8% from the field, answering every Temple basket down the stretch, to earn an 80-74 victory Sunday afternoon from the Liacouras Center.

The Story
Temple opened an early 8-4 lead. A dunk from Stephen Giwa, followed by five straight points from Nick Anderson, gave Rice the lead. Rice, though, missed four of its next five shots, as Temple used an 11-2 run over the next 3:22 to take its largest lead of the half, 19-13, midway through the first half. After trading baskets, Anderson converted a four-point play, sending Rice on an 8-0 run. Temple scored three straight baskets, but Rice answered with a 7-0 run, taking a 30-27 lead with 2:34 to play in the half. Temple scored seven of the next 10 points before Cam Carroll hit two free throws. But Darrion Ford's basket at the buzzer sent Rice into halftime trailing, 36-35.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair. Temple went up two, but Trae Broadnax hit a jumper, and Jalen Smith hit a three. After a three-point play, Anderson made one of two free throws, and Broadnax drilled a three. Temple retook the lead with three straight baskets. The teams then traded baskets over the next two minutes. But Rice scored seven of the next eight points, taking a 63-56 lead with 8:53 remaining. Temple then scored eight of the next 10 points, pulling within one point. Anderson made two free throws, and Broadnax hit a jumper to push Rice's lead to 69-64 with 3:55 to play. But after trading baskets, Rice made five of six free throws to seal the victory.

What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"I'm proud of the guys. I thought it was a real team effort and a real show of fortitude and mettle for these guys after a disappointing performance. It was a tremendous response to come on the road and play against a team that's desperate for a win, and play like we were desperate. We got a lot of contributions from a lot of guys. I'm just really proud."

The Stats
Rice connected on 51.8% (29-of-56) from the field, 30.8% (8-of-26) from three, and 73.7% (14-of-19) from the free throw line. Temple shot 50.0% (25-of-50) from the floor, 29.4% (5-of-17) from three, and 73.1% (19-of-26) from the free throw line. Rice also won the rebounding battle, 28-to-25, and scored 18 points off 10 Temple turnovers.

Notes
• Rice improved to 12-17 on the year, and 6-10 in the American Conference.
• Rice moves to 2-6 all-time against Temple.
• The Owls are now 2-2 in Philadelphia.
• Rice scored at least 80 points for the 10^th time this season.
• Rice connected on 51.8% from the field, the sixth time this year it shot at least 50.0% from the floor.
• G Nick Anderson had game-highs of 21 points and six rebounds, while adding three assists and two steals.
• It was his sixth 20-point game of the year, and the 27^th of his career.
• It was his 24^th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 70^th of his career.
• G Trae Broadnax scored 15 points, all in the second half, and added four rebounds.
• It was his team-high 27^th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 99^th of his career.
• G Jalen Smith scored 15 points on four-of-five from three, and added a game-high four assists.
• It was his 18^th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 31^st of his career.
• G Cam Carroll tied a season-high with six rebounds and added a game-high four assists.

Next Up
Rice closes its regular season road schedule this Wednesday, Mar. 4, when it travels to Denton, Texas to face North Texas. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.