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Rice Basketball outlasted by Tulsa

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A massive opening deficit proved too much to overcome as Rice Basketball fell to Tulsa for the second time this season.

The game was nearly over before Rice basketball made their first field goal. The score was 16-0 at that time, in favor of the visiting Tulsa Golden Hurricane who blanked the Owls through the first five minutes of regulation until Cam Carroll knocked down a three, the first signs of life from the Owls.

Tulsa would grow their advantage to 22 points in the first half and went into halftime with a comfortable 20 point lead. Even with a strong rally — and Rice would play much better after the break — that kind of advantage would be hard to overcome.

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Rice slowly trimmed the Tulsa edge from 20 down to five, rattling off an 8-0 stretch to bring the game back within reach. Massive days from Nick Anderson (18 points), Jalen Smith (24) and Trae Broadnax (21) kept the dream alive. The Owls would get within three, but not any closer. Tulsa fought off that final Rice charge, sweeping the season series.

Rice Basketball falls to 8-12 with the loss. The Owls are 5-6 at Tudor Fieldhouse this season.

Final Box | Tulsa 87, Rice 81

Key takeaway | Outclassed

Most metrics and ratings system tab Tulsa as the best team in the American Conference and the second best team Rice basketball has played this year, trailing only Tennessee. That includes perennial NCAA Tournament contender Memphis and a talented Oregon squad. For the most part, Rice held their own against those last two teams. Tulsa, not so much.

Tulsa routed Rice 97-48 in their first meeting on New Year’s Eve and looked to be on their way to a similar result before Jalen Smith got hot from three to keep the game from reaching another obscene margin in favor of the Golden Hurricane.

Both Saturday’s result and the previous meeting make it clear Rice isn’t on that level, even if a burst of second half successes did its best to offer some hope. Basketball has inherit volatility and anyone really can beat anyone when they play their best game. But that’s what it would take for Rice to beat an NCAA Tournament caliber team right now — their absolute best. Anything less will produce just another loss.

Up Next: at East Carolina (Wed, Jan. 28 at 6:00 pm)

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Rice Women’s Basketball Rolls past Tulane Green Wave

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Rice women’s basketball absorbs Tulane’s strong start before rolling to another convincing win to extend their streak to 12 straight victories.

A strong start from Kendall Sneed and Kanija Daniel kept Tulane in the mix in the early goings against Rice women’s basketball, but they proved unable to overcome another suffocating defensive effort from the hosts. The game was tied at 24 after the first half and then the shots stopped falling for the Green Wave.

Rice held Tulane to 13 points or fewer in each of the remaining three quarters. While the Owls’ own offense wasn’t perfect, it was more than enough to surge past a neutralized Tulane attack. Rice built a three-point halftime lead, stretching their advantage to double-digits for the first time in the third quarter. They would seize firm control of the outcome in the final frame.

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Dominque Ennis provided the dagger on a long-range three to go up by 14 with 5:22 to play. Rice made just one field goal after that, but steady free throw shooting from Shelby Hayes was more than enough to maintain a comfortable margin and close out yet another win.

With the victory, Rice women’s basketball improves to 17-3 on the season and remains a perfect 9-0 at Tudor Fieldhouse.

Final Box | Rice 70, Tulane 60

Key takeaway | Suffocating Defense

One of the chief reasons for continued optimism regarding the ceiling of this version of Rice women’s basketball has to be the level defensive intensity this team has played with this season, particularly in this recent stretch against some of the best teams the American Conference has to offer.

On Saturday, Tulane shot 56.3 in the first quarter. The Owls took a deep breath and dropped the hammer, choking out the Tulane scorers for the remainder of the contest. Tulane shot below 30 percent for the remainder of the game.

Right now, Rice women’s basketball is a team that can take your best punch and throw it right back at you. They’re playing well on both sides of the ball, but the defense makes

Up Next: vs Temple (Wed. Jan. 28 at 7:00 pm)

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Rice Football Recruiting: LB Austin Harnetiaux commits to Owls

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Another veteran defender has joined the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class. Former Nevada linebacker Austin Harnetiaux has committed to the Owls.

The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class is winding down as the flurry of Transfer Portal additions slows and spring ball is just around the corner. The number of roster spots remaining continues to dwindle. Rice spent one more this week on a veteran defensive addition from the west coast. Former Nevada linebacker Austin Harnetiaux has committed to the Owls.

Harnetiaux began his college career at Washington, where he played sparingly but was awarded Scout Squad MVP following his last season with the Huskies in 2023. From there he moved to Nevada, appearing in 25 games, tallying 81 tackles across two seasons with the Wolfpack before hitting the portal once more, this time finding his way to South Main.

He and Houston transfer Jesus Machado will anchor the Owls’ linebacker haul in this cycle, in addition to high school signing Jayden Cupitt. It’s a solid collection of experience and talent to add to a young room with several returning players the staff esteems.

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There’s a lot to like on Harnetiaux’s tape. He’s decisive and hits hard with good closing speed. Rangy linebackers in his mold have done very well at Rice in recent years, which bodes well for the ceiling of what Harnetiaux could accomplish at Rice.

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Rice Football Recruiting: WR Barry Jackson commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class just added a pass catching threat on the outside. Former Cincinnati wide receiver Barry Jackson has committed to the Owls.

A year ago, it was Aaron Turner who transferred from Cincinnati to South Main. Now the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class hopes to replicate that level of newfound production with another transfer from the Bearcats’ program. Former Cincinnati wide receiver Barry Jackson has committed to the Owls.

Jackson is a Georgia native who originally picked Cincinnati over Nebraska, Memphis and Duke as a high school recruit. In his three seasons with the Bearcats, Jackson appeared in 28 games, making a handful of starts while primarily serving as a reserve receiver and special teams contributor. He had seven career receptions for 122 yards and one touchdown before entering the portal and choosing South Main.

Unlike a host of the other skill position additions in this cycle, Jackson seems to be the most likely to stick on the outside. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound receiver has some position flexibility, but he’s a more natural fit at that spot than some others. For the time being, he and incoming high school signee Preston Jackson are the most likely contributors to that room, with Ben Grice being another contender, although he might wind up in the slot.

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One of the most powerful selling points of Jackson’s tape is his ability to win vertically. He plays bigger than his frame might suggest and he’s a proven downfield target, something Rice football was really hoping to find in this crop of transfer additions.

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Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Davis Lane commits to Owls

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Perhaps the most versatile new face to join the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class, former Virginia running back Davis Lane has committed to the Owls.

Stockpiling talent has been the name of the game as the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class continues to take shape. Rice is after playmakers, knowing the staff will find the right places to maximize those diverse skillsets when it comes time to get everyone on the field. That goes for the Owls’ newest addition, too. Former Virginia do-it-all athlete Davis Lane has committed to the Owls.

A former high school quarterback, Lane has lined up at several spots for the Hoos in his four seasons with the program, serving primarily as one of the program’s top special teammers, a familiar theme among Rice signees in this cycle. Lane recorded 10 carries at Virginia. He’s likely to be in line for more action in his final season of remaining eligibility at Rice.

Lane is another veteran offensive piece that will move around the formation at Rice, similar to the likes of Michael Sifford (Army) and Max Mosey (Holy Cross), two other additions to this class.

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Whether he’s listed as a slot, running back or receiver on the first spring roster is a bit up in the air. Lane profiles as an offensive weapon the staff will utilize in a variety of ways. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound athlete brings a different body type to the receiving rooms that should provide an excellent change of pace and the diverse skillset he shows on film supports those aspirations.

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