NCAAB · Final

Rice Owls Defeat UTSA Roadrunners 80-71 in NCAAB Clash

Sunday, March 8, 2026, 3:00 PM ET · Tudor Fieldhouse

Rice Owls 80, UTSA Roadrunners 71, 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 UTSA Roadrunners vs Rice Owls?

Rice Owls beat UTSA Roadrunners 80-71 at Tudor Fieldhouse on March 8, 2026.

Who was favored in UTSA Roadrunners vs Rice Owls?

Rice Owls were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -800 (about 89% implied). The favorite won.

In a closely contested matchup, the Rice Owls emerged victorious against the UTSA Roadrunners with a final score of 80-71 at Tudor Fieldhouse. This game was significant as it showcased the Owls' ability to secure a win against a struggling Roadrunners team, which has faced challenges throughout the season. Rice's home record stands at 13-18, while UTSA has struggled with a 5-25 record overall.

The Owls entered this game with a mixed recent form, recording a 4-6 record in their last ten games. Their scoring average during this stretch was 72.9 points per game, while they allowed an average of 76.1 points. In their last five games, Rice managed to secure just one win, averaging 68.8 points scored and allowing 75.4 points. In contrast, the Roadrunners have been on a downward spiral, winning only one of their last ten games, with a record of 1-9. Their scoring average during this period was 71.7 points, but they allowed an alarming average of 83.6 points per game. UTSA's last five games saw them average 72.4 points scored while allowing 81.0 points.

When considering home and away performances, Rice has a home record of 2-2 in their last four games at Tudor Fieldhouse, while UTSA has struggled significantly on the road, with a home record of 0-6 in their last six games. The historical context of this matchup reveals that Rice has faced UTSA three times in recent seasons, with the Owls holding a 1-2 record against them. Their most recent encounter earlier this season saw Rice lose 89-73 to UTSA, but they managed to turn the tables in this game.

In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details on player availability for either team, which could have influenced their performance. However, the absence of key players can often impact the dynamics of these matchups.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Rice favored by 11.5 points, indicating a strong expectation for their performance against UTSA. The total for the game was set at 151.5, with odds for the over at -105.0 and the under at -115.0. The moneyline reflected a significant disparity, with Rice at -800.0 and UTSA at 550.0, suggesting that Rice was heavily favored to win.

The game conditions appeared favorable for both teams, with no adverse weather factors affecting play, as it took place indoors at Tudor Fieldhouse. Fans were treated to a competitive atmosphere as both teams fought for every point.

Throughout the game, viewers witnessed several key scoring plays that highlighted the Owls' offensive capabilities. Jalen Smith made a notable 27-foot three-point step-back jump shot, contributing to Rice's lead. Trae Broadnax followed with a driving layup, and Baboucarr Njie added a layup to keep the pressure on UTSA. The Roadrunners attempted to respond with a series of layups and dunks, including a two-foot dunk by Brent Moss, but they could not close the gap sufficiently.

The final moments of the game saw Rice maintain their lead, with Stephen Giwa scoring a crucial two-foot dunk to push the score to 80-68. Dorian Hayes capped off the scoring for Rice with a 24-foot three-point jumper, sealing the victory at 80-71.

Overall, this matchup underscored the Owls' resilience and ability to capitalize on their home court advantage, while the Roadrunners continued to face difficulties in finding consistent success this season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	RICE -11.5	151.5 o -105 / u -115	UTSA Roadrunners +550 · Rice Owls -800

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

Leaders

PointsJalen Smith25Rice Owls
AssistsTrae Broadnax5Rice Owls
ReboundsStephen Giwa10Rice Owls
PointsBrent Moss16UTSA Roadrunners
AssistsBaboucarr Njie2UTSA Roadrunners
ReboundsMatheo Coffi14UTSA Roadrunners

Recent form

Rice Owls

Last 10: 4-6Streak L172.9 scored · 76.1 allowed per game2-2 at home

L58-62at North Texas Mean GreenMar 5
W80-74at Temple OwlsMar 1
L56-75vs South Florida BullsFeb 26
L75-81at Tulane Green WaveFeb 22
L75-85vs East Carolina PiratesFeb 14
W81-73vs Florida Atlantic OwlsFeb 12
L65-71at UAB BlazersFeb 8
W86-83vs North Texas Mean GreenFeb 5
L70-80at Charlotte 49ersJan 31
W83-77at East Carolina PiratesJan 29

UTSA Roadrunners

Last 10: 1-9Streak L471.7 scored · 83.6 allowed per game1-3 away

L67-84vs Wichita State ShockersMar 2
L81-82vs East Carolina PiratesFeb 26
L74-100at Tulsa Golden HurricaneFeb 22
L52-60vs Florida Atlantic OwlsFeb 19
W88-79at Charlotte 49ersFeb 15
L72-88at East Carolina PiratesFeb 12
L58-81vs North Texas Mean GreenFeb 7
L88-109at South Florida BullsFeb 5
L73-83vs UAB BlazersJan 29
L64-70vs Temple OwlsJan 24

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	UTSA Roadrunners	Rice Owls
Field goals	25-70	30-78
Field goal %	36	38
Three-pointers	7-28	12-46
Three-point %	25	26
Free throws	14-23	8-14
Free throw %	61	57
Rebounds	47	50
Offensive rebounds	17	20
Defensive rebounds	30	30
Assists	9	13
Steals	3	4
Blocks	3	4
Turnovers	5	4
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	3	6
Fast-break points	8	8
Points in the paint	34	32
Fouls	12	13
Largest lead	0	19
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	0	96

How the scoring went

1st Half30-43Jalen Smith makes 3-foot dunk (Trae Broadnax assists)
1st Half30-45Andrew Akuchie makes layup (Trae Broadnax assists)
1st Half32-45Baboucarr Njie makes 11-foot jumper
2nd Half34-45Jamir Simpson makes 12-foot jumper
2nd Half34-48Jalen Smith makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
2nd Half34-50Nick Anderson makes 3-foot dunk
2nd Half37-50Brent Moss makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half37-52Trae Broadnax makes 15-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half39-52Matheo Coffi makes 10-foot jumper
2nd Half39-55Nick Anderson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Andrew Akuchie assists)
2nd Half42-55Matheo Coffi makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jamir Simpson assists)
2nd Half42-58Nick Anderson makes 23-foot three point jumper
2nd Half43-58Dorian Hayes makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-58Brent Moss makes layup
2nd Half45-60Jalen Smith makes layup
2nd Half47-60Brent Moss makes 3-foot dunk
2nd Half47-62Eternity Eguagie makes layup (Cam Carroll assists)
2nd Half48-62Baboucarr Njie makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-62Brent Moss makes layup
2nd Half50-63Jimmy Oladokun Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half50-65Trey Patterson makes driving layup
2nd Half50-67Trae Broadnax makes driving layup
2nd Half50-68Trae Broadnax makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-69Trae Broadnax makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half51-69Dorian Hayes makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half52-69Dorian Hayes makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half52-71Jalen Smith makes 13-foot jumper
2nd Half55-71Dorian Hayes makes 24-foot three point jumper (Brent Moss assists)
2nd Half58-71Brent Moss makes 23-foot three point jumper (Baboucarr Njie assists)
2nd Half58-72Trae Broadnax makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half58-73Trae Broadnax makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half60-73Jamir Simpson makes layup
2nd Half60-76Jalen Smith makes 27-foot three point step back jumpshot
2nd Half60-78Trae Broadnax makes driving layup
2nd Half62-78Baboucarr Njie makes layup
2nd Half64-78Brent Moss makes 2-foot dunk (Dorian Hayes assists)
2nd Half66-78Jamir Simpson makes driving layup
2nd Half68-78Jamir Simpson makes layup
2nd Half68-80Stephen Giwa makes 2-foot dunk (Jalen Smith assists)
2nd Half71-80Dorian Hayes makes 24-foot three point jumper (Matheo Coffi assists)