Rice defeats Arkansas St 77-76
Rice Pulls Off Dramatic Comeback at Tudor Fieldhouse
In a thrilling non-conference matchup, Rice erased a 2-point halftime deficit to secure a 77-76 victory over Arkansas State at the home venue of Tudor Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
Trailing by two points at intermission, Rice's offense clicked into high gear in the second half, outscoring Arkansas State 44-41. The Owls' bench played a crucial role, with several players contributing to the surge and helping to seal the win for their team.
Nick Anderson led Rice's comeback effort, scoring 14 points on 3-for-8 three-point shooting. Trae Broadnax chipped in with six rebounds and 11 points, while Jalen Smith added six assists and 13 points.
For Arkansas State, Chandler Jackson was a one-man show, scoring 17 points on an impressive 66.7% shooting clip from the field. Royal Blue Smith provided strong rebounding support with five boards and 10 points.
The Owls' victory marked their second win of the season, while Arkansas State fell to 2-4 overall. Rice's non-conference schedule has been a mixed bag so far, but this win should give them some much-needed momentum heading into conference play.
Advanced statistics told a similar story: Rice's true shooting percentage was an impressive 51.9%, compared to Arkansas State's 54.8%. The Owls also outperformed their opponent in the advanced metrics department, showcasing a more well-rounded attack.
In a game that saw both teams trade baskets and neither able to pull away for long, the turning point came when Rice made several crucial three-point shots in the second half. Those points helped to swing momentum in favor of the Owls and ultimately secured their hard-fought victory.
As the two teams departed Tudor Fieldhouse, it was clear that this non-conference matchup would be a memorable one for Rice fans. With their team showing poise and resilience, they will head into conference play with renewed confidence and a sense of purpose.
Final Box Score:
Rice (HOME) - 77
Arkansas State (AWAY) - 76