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
2024-25 Conference USA Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 0-0 | - | 12-1 |
| Louisiana Tech | 0-0 | - | 11-2 |
| Middle Tennessee | 0-0 | - | 9-3 |
| UTEP | 0-0 | - | 9-3 |
| Western Kentucky | 0-0 | - | 9-3 |
| Jacksonville State | 0-0 | - | 7-5 |
| Kennesaw State | 0-0 | - | 7-5 |
| New Mexico State | 0-0 | - | 6-6 |
| Sam Houston | 0-0 | - | 6-6 |
| Florida International | 0-0 | - | 5-7 |
2024-25 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 0-0 | - | 9-3 |
| North Texas | 0-0 | - | 9-3 |
| Wichita State | 0-0 | - | 9-3 |
| Rice | 0-0 | - | 9-4 |
| East Carolina | 0-0 | - | 8-5 |
| Temple | 0-0 | - | 7-5 |
| Charlotte | 0-0 | - | 6-5 |
| UTSA | 0-0 | - | 6-5 |
| Florida Atlantic | 0-0 | - | 7-6 |
| UAB | 0-0 | - | 7-6 |
| South Florida | 0-0 | - | 6-6 |
| Tulane | 0-0 | - | 6-7 |
| Tulsa | 0-0 | - | 5-7 |
Men's College Basketball News
