Rice Owls Set to Challenge UAB Blazers at Bartow Arena
As the Rice Owls prepare to face off against the UAB Blazers at Bartow Arena, fans are eager to see if their team can carry forward the momentum from their recent performances. The Owls have shown a mixed bag of results in their past games, but there's a sense that they're on the cusp of breaking through.
In their last game on December 23 against Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns, the Owls fell short with a final score of 67-84. Despite this loss, there were positive takeaways; notably, they shot an impressive 42 percent from beyond the arc. However, it was clear that improvements were needed in both offensive and defensive rebounds where they trailed with only 28 compared to the Cajuns' 41.
Before that setback, Rice had an emphatic victory over Prairie View A&M Panthers on December 21 with an impressive scoreline of 82-56. That game showcased what RICE is capable of when firing on all cylinders: a dominant field goal percentage of 52 and a staggering free throw accuracy rate at nearly perfect—90 percent. They also outrebounded PV by a significant margin (47-26), which played no small part in securing such a comfortable win.
An away game against Northwestern State Demons on December 16 saw another strong performance by RICE as they secured victory with a scoreline of 76-51. The team excelled particularly in points in paint (46) and maintained high efficiency from two-point range (62 percent). Their assist-to-turnover ratio stood at an admirable rate of 1.8.
Looking ahead to their encounter with UAB Blazers, it's evident that rebounding will be crucial for RICE if they want to come out on top. Consistency from mid-range and maintaining high free throw percentages will also be key factors for success.
The Blazers should not be underestimated though; any home advantage could play into their hands significantly as teams tend to perform better within familiar confines before supportive crowds.
With all eyes set towards February 22nd at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, AL, fans should mark their calendars for this exciting matchup scheduled for tip-off at 8:00 PM ET. Those unable to attend can catch all the action live via ESPN+ online broadcast network—a platform sure not to miss any beat or basket as these two teams clash on court.