Rice tops UTEP 76-70 behind Hunter's 24
HOUSTON -- Najja Hunter scored 24 points, Ako Adams added 15, and Rice beat UTEP 76-70 on Thursday night to keep its hopes alive for a Conference USA Tournament berth.
Connor Cashaw grabbed 12 rebounds for the Owls (7-23, 4-14), who entered two games back of 12th-ranked UTEP (10-18, 5-11) and face fifth-ranked UTSA (17-13, 10-7) on Saturday.
Leading 36-29 at halftime, Rice opened the second half by scoring seven straight and led 50-40 on Tim Harrison's layup. Omega Harris scored seven straight and the Miners closed to 74-70 on his 3 with five seconds left, but got no closer. Adams hit two free throws and Harris' 3 at the buzzer missed.
Harris hit five 3s and scored 18 points, Isiah Osborne added 13 points, Paul Thomas had 12 and Trey Wade 10 for the Miners, who need a win Saturday at North Texas (17-13, 10-7) or a Rice loss at UTSA to make the tournament.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Marques Pettigrew
- Doug Sirmons
- Ray Natili
2023-24 Conference USA Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Sam Houston | 13-3 | - | 21-12 |
Louisiana Tech | 12-4 | 1 | 22-10 |
Western Kentucky | 8-8 | 5 | 22-12 |
Liberty | 7-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
UTEP | 7-9 | 6 | 18-16 |
Middle Tennessee | 7-9 | 6 | 14-19 |
New Mexico State | 7-9 | 6 | 13-19 |
Jacksonville State | 6-10 | 7 | 14-18 |
Florida International | 5-11 | 8 | 11-22 |
2023-24 American Athletic Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
South Florida | 16-2 | - | 25-8 |
Florida Atlantic | 14-4 | 2 | 25-9 |
Charlotte | 13-5 | 3 | 19-12 |
UAB | 12-6 | 4 | 23-12 |
Memphis | 11-7 | 5 | 22-10 |
SMU | 11-7 | 5 | 20-13 |
North Texas | 10-8 | 6 | 19-15 |
Tulsa | 7-11 | 9 | 16-15 |
East Carolina | 7-11 | 9 | 15-18 |
Tulane | 5-13 | 11 | 14-17 |
Temple | 5-13 | 11 | 16-20 |
Wichita State | 5-13 | 11 | 15-19 |
UTSA | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |
Rice | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |