HOUSTON — After trailing by six points, eight minutes into the second half, the Rice Men’s Basketball came roaring back, earning its second straight victory, 77-72, over Texas State, Wednesday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.

The Story

Texas State came out hot, making seven of its first 10 shots. Rice, though, stayed right with them, holding a 16-13 lead. But the Owls missed six of their next seven shots, as Texas State scored the next six points. Trae Broadnax made two free throws and Nick Anderson made a three. However, two straight baskets gave the Bobcats a 23-21 lead with 7:57 to play. The Owls answered with six straight points. The teams traded baskets, but Rice went on an 8-0 run, capped by a Jalen Smith corner three, forcing a Texas State timeout. TXST made a layup, but Cam Carroll’s step-back three at the buzzer sent Rice into halftime with a 40-28 lead.

 

Anderson started the second half driving in for a layup. But the Owls missed seven of their next eight shots, as Texas State went on a 23-3 run over the next 7:40 to take a 51-45 lead. The Owls, though, came right back. Anderson made one-of-two free throws, and Carroll scored four straight points. After a Texas State basket pushed its lead to three, the Owls went on a 10-2 run capped by a Smith three-pointer, to take a 60-55 lead. The Bobcats scored five of the next seven points to cut the deficit to two.  But Rice scored six straight to grab a 68-60 lead with 3:16 to play. However, Texas State did not go away. After trading baskets, the Bobcats converted two straight three-point plays. Broadnax made a layup, but TXST scored four of the next five points to make it 73-72 with 17 seconds to play. Smith was fouled and made both free throws. Texas State had a chance to tie it, but Mark Drone’s three-point attempt was off the mark, and Anderson sealed the game with a pair of free throws.

 

What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say

“I’m proud of the guys. We said at halftime that (Texas State) was going to try to impose their will and be extra physical in the second half, and they did that. We got caught on our heels, and it created a situation where we had to show some resolve. In the aftermath, I like the fact that we did it. During the game, I would have preferred if we had stayed ahead and imposed our will. That’s kind of the next step for us. But, it’s a good team win against a very good, well-coached team. There’s a lot we can learn from it, both good and bad.”

 

The Stats

Rice connected on 43.6% (24-of-55) from the field, 26.9% (7-of-26) from three, and 75.9% (22-of-29) from the free throw line. Texas State was hit 42.9% (27-of-63) from the floor, 30.8% (4-of-13) from three, and 73.7% (14-of-19) from the free throw line. Rice also outrebounded the Bobcats, 39-to-37.

 

Notes

• Rice improves to 4-6 on the year.

• Rice and Texas State met for the second straight season.

• The Owls hold an 11-7 advantage in the series, including 8-5 in Houston.

• Rice tied a season-high with 17 fast break points.

• G Trae Broadnax led Rice with 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks.

• It was his ninth double-figure scoring game this year, and the 81st of his career.

• G/F Nick Anderson scored 15 points, and tied a season-high with six rebounds.

• It was his team-leading 10th game scoring in double-figures this year and the 56th of his career.

• Anderson was five-of-six from the free throw line, snapping a streak of 26 straight free throws, passing Ricky Pierce and Rashid Smith for the fourth longest streak in school history.

• G Cam Carroll scored a season-high 15 points, his fourth double-figure scoring game this year.

• G Jalen Smith scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds.

• It was his eighth game scoring in double-figures this year and the 21st of his career.

 

Next Up

Rice takes a week off for exams before continuing its homestand next Saturday, Dec. 13, when it hosts Arkansas State. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.