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
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 |