Rice needed a response, and it got one — fast. Down nine at the break, the Owls detonated for 40 points in the second half and survived a late North Texas push to win 86-83 on February 5, 2026.
How it happened
North Texas controlled the early flow, putting up 34 points in the first half’s opening period and carrying a 65-? advantage into halftime on the strength of a 34-25 first-half edge. Rice’s offense, meanwhile, was still searching for rhythm after scoring 25 in the first half.
Then the script flipped. Rice’s 40-point second half swung the game decisively, turning a nine-point deficit into a three-point win. North Texas scored 31 after halftime — enough to stay in contact, not enough to withstand Rice’s sustained pressure.
Turning point: Rice’s second-half punch
The game tilted on one number: 40. Rice’s second-half output was the difference-maker, outpacing North Texas by nine after the break. In a game that finished as a one-possession margin, that post-halftime separation was the entire story.
What it means
For Rice, the 86-83 win moves the Owls forward from a 9-13 baseline and provides a needed jolt after a mixed recent run (LWLLW). The takeaway is simple: when Rice’s offense hits a higher gear, it can win tight games even against teams with stronger overall records.
For North Texas, now coming off a stretch that included three straight losses before two wins (LLLWW), the missed opportunity stings. The Mean Green did enough early to put Rice under real pressure, but couldn’t match the second-half scoring pace required to close it out.
By the numbers
- Final: Rice 86, North Texas 83
- Halftime: North Texas led 34-25
- Second half: Rice 40, North Texas 31
Up next
The venue was listed as TBD, but the result is concrete: Rice has a momentum win to build on, while North Texas leaves knowing it let a first-half advantage slip in a game decided at the margins.