Rice University Athletics
Rice Drops Heartbreaker at North Texas
3/4/2026 10:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DENTON, Texas — Rice missed 17 of its final 20 shots, as North Texas came back from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Owls, 62-58, Wednesday night from the Super Pit.
With the loss, Rice was eliminated from American Conference Tournament contention.
The Story
The Owls came out of the game firing, making five of their first six three-pointers to jump out to a 15-7 lead just 5:43 into the game. North Texas scored six of the next eight points. But Eternity Eguagie's three sent Rice on a 13-1 run. After David Terrell, Jr., hit a jumper, Jalen Smith hit his fourth three of the half, giving the Owls their largest lead of the game, 33-16, with 3:02 to play in the half. However, Rice missed its last four shots, and the Mean Green scored the final seven points of the half, pulling within 33-23 at the break.
The second half began as a back-and-forth affair. After Trae Broadnax made a jumper, EJ Horton hit a three to bring UNT within 40-31. The teams traded baskets before Nick Anderson hit a three and Smith made a jumper to extend Rice's lead to 47-33 with 4:34 into the half. However, the Owls went cold missing 12 of their next 13 shots, as North Texas went on a 14-2 run over the next 6:46 to get within 49-47. Smith made one-of-two free throws, and Andrew Akuchie converted a putback dunk with 5:33 remaining. The Mean Green, though, used a 10-2 run to take its first lead since 5-3, 57-54. Broadnax made two free throws to get the Owls within one. After trading baskets, Rice fouled Je'shawn Stevenson, who made both free throws, pushing UNT's lead to three with 14 seconds left. Cam Carroll drove in for a layup, but came up short, and David Terrell, Jr., got the rebound and was fouled. Terrell made one-of-two free throws to make it a two possession game, and Broadnax's three was short to close the game.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"I'm just feel bad for the guys. There was so much emotion in that locker room. I'm proud of them. As a coach, you want the effort and engagement to be high. You're going to win some (and) lose some. But, if you play like that all of the time, you're going to have a good year. Tonight, we didn't finish the job late. We didn't play with enough poise down the stretch. Credit to North Texas. They made some plays. Their defense ramped up. We had a chance to make some shots down the stretch and couldn't get it done. It's disappointing. I hate it for those guys, but I'm proud of them."
The Stats
Rice was held to 36.2% (21-of-58) from the field, 32.3% (10-of-31) from three, and 40.0% (6-of-15) from the free throw line. North Texas shot 42.6% (23-of-54) from the floor, 25.0% (4-of-16) from three, and 57.1% (12-of-21) from the free throw line. Rice won the rebounding battle, 44-to-36.
Notes
• Rice fell to 12-18 on the year, and 6-11 in the American Conference.
• Rice moves to 10-27 all-time against North Texas.
• The Owls are now 2-13 in Denton.
• Rice connected on 10 three-pointers, the 14th time this year it made at least 10 threes.
• G Jalen Smith scored 18 points, tying a career-high with five three-pointers.
• It was his 19th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 32nd of his career.
• With five three-pointers, Smith went over 150 for his career.
• G Nick Anderson 11 points and had five rebounds.
• It was his 25th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 71st of his career.
• F Andrew Akuchie scored seven points and added a team-high eight rebounds.
• C Stephen Giwa added eight rebounds and three blocks.
Next Up
Rice closes the regular season this Sunday, Mar. 8, when it hosts UTSA on Senior Day. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
With the loss, Rice was eliminated from American Conference Tournament contention.
The Story
The Owls came out of the game firing, making five of their first six three-pointers to jump out to a 15-7 lead just 5:43 into the game. North Texas scored six of the next eight points. But Eternity Eguagie's three sent Rice on a 13-1 run. After David Terrell, Jr., hit a jumper, Jalen Smith hit his fourth three of the half, giving the Owls their largest lead of the game, 33-16, with 3:02 to play in the half. However, Rice missed its last four shots, and the Mean Green scored the final seven points of the half, pulling within 33-23 at the break.
The second half began as a back-and-forth affair. After Trae Broadnax made a jumper, EJ Horton hit a three to bring UNT within 40-31. The teams traded baskets before Nick Anderson hit a three and Smith made a jumper to extend Rice's lead to 47-33 with 4:34 into the half. However, the Owls went cold missing 12 of their next 13 shots, as North Texas went on a 14-2 run over the next 6:46 to get within 49-47. Smith made one-of-two free throws, and Andrew Akuchie converted a putback dunk with 5:33 remaining. The Mean Green, though, used a 10-2 run to take its first lead since 5-3, 57-54. Broadnax made two free throws to get the Owls within one. After trading baskets, Rice fouled Je'shawn Stevenson, who made both free throws, pushing UNT's lead to three with 14 seconds left. Cam Carroll drove in for a layup, but came up short, and David Terrell, Jr., got the rebound and was fouled. Terrell made one-of-two free throws to make it a two possession game, and Broadnax's three was short to close the game.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"I'm just feel bad for the guys. There was so much emotion in that locker room. I'm proud of them. As a coach, you want the effort and engagement to be high. You're going to win some (and) lose some. But, if you play like that all of the time, you're going to have a good year. Tonight, we didn't finish the job late. We didn't play with enough poise down the stretch. Credit to North Texas. They made some plays. Their defense ramped up. We had a chance to make some shots down the stretch and couldn't get it done. It's disappointing. I hate it for those guys, but I'm proud of them."
The Stats
Rice was held to 36.2% (21-of-58) from the field, 32.3% (10-of-31) from three, and 40.0% (6-of-15) from the free throw line. North Texas shot 42.6% (23-of-54) from the floor, 25.0% (4-of-16) from three, and 57.1% (12-of-21) from the free throw line. Rice won the rebounding battle, 44-to-36.
Notes
• Rice fell to 12-18 on the year, and 6-11 in the American Conference.
• Rice moves to 10-27 all-time against North Texas.
• The Owls are now 2-13 in Denton.
• Rice connected on 10 three-pointers, the 14th time this year it made at least 10 threes.
• G Jalen Smith scored 18 points, tying a career-high with five three-pointers.
• It was his 19th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 32nd of his career.
• With five three-pointers, Smith went over 150 for his career.
• G Nick Anderson 11 points and had five rebounds.
• It was his 25th double-figure scoring game this year, and the 71st of his career.
• F Andrew Akuchie scored seven points and added a team-high eight rebounds.
• C Stephen Giwa added eight rebounds and three blocks.
Next Up
Rice closes the regular season this Sunday, Mar. 8, when it hosts UTSA on Senior Day. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G/F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballWBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09
VB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02