NCAAB · Final

UAB Blazers Defeat Rice Owls 71-65 at Bartow Arena

Sunday, February 8, 2026, 3:00 PM ET · Bartow Arena

UAB Blazers 71, Rice Owls 65, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Rice Owls vs UAB Blazers?

UAB Blazers beat Rice Owls 71-65 at Bartow Arena on February 8, 2026.

Who was favored in Rice Owls vs UAB Blazers?

UAB Blazers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -440 (about 81% implied). The favorite won.

The UAB Blazers secured a narrow 71-65 victory over the Rice Owls at Bartow Arena, continuing their competitive season in the NCAAB league. This matchup was particularly intriguing as UAB, with a home record of 15-9, faced off against Rice, who holds a 10-14 record overall. The game showcased the Blazers' resilience, especially following their recent struggles, where they had lost their last game against the Memphis Tigers.

In their last ten games, the Blazers have recorded a 5-5 record, with an average of 80.0 points scored and 82.3 points allowed per game. Their recent form has been inconsistent, as they entered this game on a one-game losing streak. In contrast, the Owls have shown some improvement, winning four of their last ten games, averaging 73.1 points scored and allowing 78.0 points. They came into this game with a one-game winning streak after defeating North Texas.

The Blazers' home performance has been less than stellar recently, with a 0-5 record in their last five home games, while they have fared better on the road with a 5-0 record in away games during that stretch. The Owls have also had a mixed bag of results, with a 1-4 record at home and a 3-2 record away in their last five games. This contest was crucial for both teams as they aimed to improve their standings.

Historically, the Blazers had a slight edge in their previous meeting, having won their only encounter against the Owls 90-89 on February 20, 2025. This backdrop added an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup, as both teams looked to establish dominance in their head-to-head series.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide any specific details regarding player availability for either team, which could have impacted their performance. However, the absence of key players can often shift the dynamics of such games.

Betting odds from DraftKings indicated that UAB was favored with a spread of -8.5, a total set at 153.5, and a moneyline of -440 for the Blazers compared to +340 for the Owls. These odds reflect the expectations placed on UAB to perform well at home against Rice.

The game conditions at Bartow Arena were conducive to a competitive atmosphere, and as the game unfolded, the scoring plays highlighted the intensity of the matchup. Notably, in the second half, Evan Chatman made a crucial two-foot dunk, assisted by Chance Westry, which brought the score to 64-61 in favor of UAB. Westry then extended the lead by making a free throw and a driving layup, showcasing his pivotal role in the game.

As the clock wound down, UAB maintained their lead, with Chance Westry sealing the victory by converting two free throws, bringing the final score to 71-65. This win not only boosts UAB's confidence but also reinforces their home court advantage as they look ahead to the remainder of the season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	UAB -8.5	153.5 o -105 / u -115	Rice Owls +340 · UAB Blazers -440

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsChance Westry22UAB Blazers
AssistsChance Westry9UAB Blazers
ReboundsEvan Chatman17UAB Blazers
PointsTrae Broadnax15Rice Owls
AssistsTrae Broadnax3Rice Owls
ReboundsJimmy Oladokun Jr.12Rice Owls

Recent form

UAB Blazers

Last 10: 5-5Streak L180 scored · 82.3 allowed per game0-5 at home

L80-90vs Memphis TigersFeb 6
W72-68at North Texas Mean GreenFeb 1
W83-73at UTSA RoadrunnersJan 29
L69-82vs South Florida BullsJan 23
L77-99vs Tulsa Golden HurricaneJan 18
W82-69at Tulane Green WaveJan 15
W87-85at East Carolina PiratesJan 11
L71-76vs Florida Atlantic OwlsJan 8
W109-106at South Florida BullsJan 4
L70-75vs Wichita State ShockersDec 31

Rice Owls

Last 10: 4-6Streak W173.1 scored · 78 allowed per game3-2 away

W86-83vs North Texas Mean GreenFeb 5
L70-80at Charlotte 49ersJan 31
W83-77at East Carolina PiratesJan 29
L81-87vs Tulsa Golden HurricaneJan 24
L65-69vs Temple OwlsJan 22
W89-73at UTSA RoadrunnersJan 15
L73-74vs Charlotte 49ersJan 11
W66-64at Wichita State ShockersJan 8
L70-76vs Memphis TigersJan 3
L48-97at Tulsa Golden HurricaneDec 31

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
South Florida	25-9	-	15-3
Tulsa	30-8	2	13-5
Wichita State	24-12	2	13-5
UAB	20-12	4	11-7
North Texas	19-14	6	9-9
Florida Atlantic	18-15	6	9-9
Charlotte	17-17	6	9-9
Tulane	18-15	7	8-10
Temple	16-16	7	8-10
Memphis	13-19	7	8-10
Rice	13-18	8	7-11
East Carolina	11-20	9	6-12
UTSA	5-25	14	1-17

Box score

Stat	Rice Owls	UAB Blazers
Field goals	26-68	26-63
Field goal %	38	41
Three-pointers	8-28	6-22
Three-point %	29	27
Free throws	5-10	13-21
Free throw %	50	62
Rebounds	44	43
Offensive rebounds	17	14
Defensive rebounds	27	29
Assists	11	13
Steals	4	6
Blocks	5	5
Turnovers	11	7
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	1	0
Technical fouls, total	1	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	5	10
Fast-break points	13	13
Points in the paint	30	38
Fouls	19	10
Largest lead	8	8
Lead changes	15	15
Time in front	62	31

How the scoring went

1st Half33-34Daniel Rivera makes 4-foot dunk (Chance Westry assists)
2nd Half35-34Trae Broadnax makes 8-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half35-36Chance Westry makes driving layup
2nd Half35-38Jacob Meyer makes 6-foot jumper
2nd Half35-41Dayjaun Anderson makes 26-foot three point jumper
2nd Half38-41Jalen Smith makes 26-foot three point jumper (Nick Anderson assists)
2nd Half39-41Trae Broadnax makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half40-41Trae Broadnax makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half42-41Jimmy Oladokun Jr. makes layup
2nd Half42-42Quaran McPherson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-42Stephen Giwa makes layup (Eternity Eguagie assists)
2nd Half47-42Bodey Howell makes 29-foot three point jumper (Trae Broadnax assists)
2nd Half47-43Chance Westry makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half49-43Bodey Howell makes 11-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half49-45Chance Westry makes layup
2nd Half51-45Trae Broadnax makes 4-foot jumper
2nd Half53-45Stephen Giwa makes 2-foot dunk (Nick Anderson assists)
2nd Half53-47Jacob Meyer makes layup (Ahmad Robinson assists)
2nd Half53-49Evan Chatman makes layup
2nd Half55-49Trae Broadnax makes 16-foot jumper
2nd Half55-50Ari Gooch makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half55-51Ari Gooch makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-52Evan Chatman makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half55-53Evan Chatman makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-56Ahmad Robinson makes 27-foot three point jumper (Chance Westry assists)
2nd Half55-58Chance Westry makes layup
2nd Half55-59Chance Westry makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half57-59Nick Anderson makes layup (Cam Carroll assists)
2nd Half57-60Daniel Rivera makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half58-60Jimmy Oladokun Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-60Jalen Smith makes 28-foot three point jumper (Nick Anderson assists)
2nd Half61-62Daniel Rivera makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half61-64Evan Chatman makes 2-foot dunk (Chance Westry assists)
2nd Half61-65Chance Westry makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half61-67Chance Westry makes driving layup
2nd Half61-69Daniel Rivera makes 1-foot dunk
2nd Half63-69Trae Broadnax makes 9-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half65-69Trae Broadnax makes layup
2nd Half65-70Chance Westry makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-71Chance Westry makes free throw 2 of 2