Owls Host Roadrunners in Regular Season Finale

HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Rice Owls will look to close their regular season with a win when they host the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Sunday.

Rice (12-18) enters the contest having lost four of its last five games, including a 62-58 defeat at North Texas on Wednesday. The Owls’ offense has been inconsistent, but they boast a potent scorer in guard Nick Anderson. Anderson is averaging 17.4 points over his last five games, highlighted by a 29-point, 7-rebound performance in a loss at Tulane on Feb. 22.

UTSA (5-24) arrives in Houston mired in a six-game losing streak. The Roadrunners’ most recent outing was an 84-67 home loss to Wichita State on March 1. Their season has been defined by struggles, but they are led by the dynamic play of guard Jamir Simpson. Simpson has been a bright spot, averaging 19.2 points, 5.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds over his last six contests. He recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists in a narrow 82-81 loss to East Carolina on Feb. 25.

This matchup is a rematch from Jan. 14, when Rice secured an 89-73 victory in San Antonio. In that game, the Owls’ offense proved too much for UTSA’s defense.

For Rice, the game represents a final opportunity to build momentum before conference tournament play. The Owls will rely on Anderson’s scoring and hope for contributions from players like Jalen Smith, who had 18 points in the midweek loss.

For UTSA, stopping Simpson will be Rice’s primary defensive focus. The Roadrunners will need others, such as Daniel Akitoby and Baboucarr Njie—who combined for 37 points in the loss to Wichita State—to provide scoring support to have a chance on the road.

Tip-off is set for Sunday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse.