Rice University secured an 80-74 win over Temple on Sunday at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. The team shot 51.8% from the field and managed to answer every Temple basket in the final minutes.
Temple started strong, building an early lead before Rice responded with key plays from Stephen Giwa and Nick Anderson. Despite missing several shots mid-half, Rice went on a run led by Anderson’s four-point play and later took a narrow lead. However, Temple regained control just before halftime with a last-second basket by Darrion Ford, putting Rice behind 36-35 at the break.
The second half saw both teams exchanging leads. Trae Broadnax and Jalen Smith made important baskets for Rice, but Temple continued to challenge. With less than nine minutes remaining, Rice built a seven-point advantage following another scoring run. Temple narrowed the gap to one point late in the game, but Rice converted free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Head Coach Rob Lanier said, “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.”
Rice finished shooting 51.8% (29-of-56) overall, 30.8% (8-of-26) from three-point range, and 73.7% (14-of-19) from the free throw line. Temple shot 50% (25-of-50) overall, including 29.4% (5-of-17) from beyond the arc and 73.1% (19-of-26) at the line. Rice outrebounded Temple 28-to-25 and scored 18 points off turnovers.
With this result, Rice improved its season record to 12 wins and 17 losses overall, including six victories in American Conference play so far this year.
The win marked only their second victory over Temple in eight meetings all-time.
In Philadelphia games between these teams, Rice now holds two wins out of four contests.
This was also their tenth game this season scoring at least eighty points.
It is also their sixth time shooting above fifty percent in field goals this year.
Nick Anderson led all players with 21 points and six rebounds while adding three assists and two steals.
It was his sixth twenty-point game this season as well as his twenty-seventh career performance above that mark.
He has now reached double figures twenty-four times this season—and seventy times across his career.
Trae Broadnax contributed fifteen points—all after halftime—alongside four rebounds.
This marked his twenty-seventh double-digit scoring outing of the season; he has ninety-nine such games during his college career.
Jalen Smith added fifteen points—including hitting four out of five three-pointers—and matched Carroll with four assists.
For Smith it is his eighteenth double-digit scoring game this campaign; he has thirty-one for his career.
Cam Carroll tied his season high with six rebounds while providing four assists—the most by any player in Sunday’s contest.
Rice will conclude its regular-season road schedule on Wednesday when it travels to Denton to face North Texas at 7 p.m., with coverage available via ESPN+.
