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Rice Owls Men's Basketball Falls To The Tulane Green Wave In An American Heartbreaker

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Basketball

Rice came back from a nine-point second half deficit to take the lead, but Asher Woods hit his fourth three-pointer at the buzzer as Rice dropped an 81-78 heartbreaker to Tulane, Saturday afternoon at Devlin Fieldhouse.

The Story
Rice jumped out to a 7-3 lead. After Rowan Brumbaugh hit a three-pointer, Jacob Dar made three straight threes, but Tulane answered each one with a basket as Rice took a 16-9 advantage 7:21 into the game, its largest of the game. A Green Wave over the next 2:02 tied it at 16. A Caden Powell layup followed by a three from Denver Anglin pushed the Owls' lead to five. The teams went back-and-forth over the next 2:13 before two straight baskets tied the game at 31. Rice made four-of-six free throws, taking a 35-31 lead with 2:46 to play. However, Rice missed its last five shots as Tulane closed the half on an 11-0 run, sending Rice into the break trailing 42-35.

The second half began with the teams trading baskets. After Trae Broadnax made two free throws, Tulane scored six straight points to take its largest lead of the game, 54-45, seven minutes into the half. But a Broadnax layup sent the Owls on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to two. Woods hit a jumper and Kalen Banks made two free throws. Rice then scored six of the next nine points. Brumbaugh hit a jumper and Gregg Glenn III made one-of-two free throws. However, the Owls went on an 8-0 run, capped by a Powell three-point play that gave Rice a 66-64 lead with 6:11 to play. After each team made a pair of free throws, the Green Wave used a 9-3 run, taking a 75-71 lead. Rice tied the game with baskets by Broadnax and Kellen Amos. Glenn made one-of-two free throws, but Amos gave the Owls a 78-76 lead with his second three-pointer with 1:07 remaining. Broadnax was called for an off-ball foul, and Brumbaugh hit both free throws to tie the game. Rice had a chance to win it, but Broadnax missed a jumper. Tulane got the rebounds with second remaining, allowing Woods to hit a three at the buzzer for the win.

The Stats
Rice connected on 43.1% (25-of-58) from the field, 47.6% (10-of-21) from three, and 78.3% (18-of-23) from the free throw line. Tulane shot 47.4% (27-of-57) from the floor, 42.9% (9-of-21) from three, and 72.0% (18-of-25) from the free throw line. The Owls were outrebounded, 36-to-35.

Notes
• Rice and Tulane met for the second time this year and the 56th time overall.
• Tulane leads the series, 29-26.
• In New Orleans, the Green Wave leads 20-8.
• As conference opponents, Tulane holds a 14-5 advantage.
• Rice connected on 10 three-pointers, the eighth time this year it made at least 10.
• Jacob Dar led the Owls with a season-high 21 points while setting career-highs with six three-pointers (6-for-7) and six blocks.
• It was his first 20-point game of the year and the 10th of his career.
• It was also his third straight double-digit game and his eighth of the season.
• It was his second straight double-figure scoring game and his seventh of the season.
• Caden Powell tied a season-high with 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
• It was his 11th double-figure scoring game of the season.
• He also tied a career-high with four assists.
• Kellen Amos scored 16 points, pulled down a season-high nine rebounds, and had three assists.
• It was his 11th double-figure scoring game of the year.
• Trae Broadnax scored 13 points and had three assists.
• It was his team-leading 22nd double-figure scoring game of the season.
• Denver Anglin was 1-of-2 from three. He's now hit at least one three-pointer in 18 straight games.

Next Up
Rice begins a two-game homestand next Wednesday, February 19, when it hosts UAB. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.