Bryant has career-high 30, UAB edges Rice 89-86
HOUSTON -- Zack Bryant had a career-high 30 points with five rebounds and three assists and UAB held off a late rally to defeat Rice 89-86 on Saturday night.
Rice cut into what was once a 13-point second-half deficit and Trey Murphy's 3-pointer had the Owls within 70-69 with less than six minutes remaining. Two minutes later, a 3-pointer by Bryant put UAB up 78-72 with 3:44 remaining.
Still, UAB couldn't quite put Rice away. Even after Bryant made two free throws for a five-point UAB lead with nine seconds remaining, Rice's Ako Adams made a 3-pointer and it was 88-86 with three seconds to go. The Owls fouled Tavin Lovan and he made the second of two free throws before Adams missed a desperation 3.
UAB (14-7), which defeated North Texas on Thursday, created a three-way tie atop Conference USA. The Blazers, North Texas and UTSA are all 6-2.
Murphy, a freshman guard, led Rice (8-13, 3-5) with a career-high 24 points. He made 5 of 7 3-pointers and all nine of his free throws. Chris Mullins had 16 points, Adams 12 and Quentin Millora-Brown had 11 points and eight rebounds.
Jeremiah Bell scored 17 points for the Blazers. Bryant made 7 of 8 free throws.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Clyde Owens
- Isaac Barnett
- Nick Meyer
2024-25 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Texas | 5-1 | - | 14-4 |
| UAB | 5-1 | - | 12-7 |
| Memphis | 4-1 | 0.5 | 14-4 |
| Temple | 4-2 | 1 | 12-7 |
| Tulane | 4-2 | 1 | 10-9 |
| Florida Atlantic | 3-3 | 2 | 10-9 |
| South Florida | 3-3 | 2 | 10-9 |
| East Carolina | 3-4 | 2.5 | 11-9 |
| Rice | 2-4 | 3 | 11-8 |
| UTSA | 2-4 | 3 | 8-10 |
| Tulsa | 2-4 | 3 | 8-11 |
| Wichita State | 1-4 | 3.5 | 11-7 |
| Charlotte | 1-6 | 4.5 | 8-12 |
Men's College Basketball News
