Florida Atlantic Comeback Attempt Falls Short Against Rice

Wednesday, February 11

Houston, Texas

8 p.m. ET

Florida Atlantic

14-11,6-6American

Rice

11-14,5-7American

Fla. Atlantic

Rice

Photo by: Jack Storin

2/11/2026 11:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Ben Paul

HOUSTON – Despite career nights from freshman Josiah Parker and sophomore guard Isaiah Elohim, the Florida Atlantic men's basketball team fell to Rice by a score of 81-73 on Wednesday night.

The Owls of FAU (14-11, 6-6) came marching back from a 15-point deficit to the Rice Owls (11-14, 5-7) to tie the game in the second half on the backs of Elohim and Parker. The duo combined for 34 points in the final period on 10-for-15 shooting from the field and 13-for-17 from the free throw line.

FIRST HALF
Picking up where he left off from his career-best game, redshirt junior guard Niccolo Moretti opened up scoring inside with a layup on the first possession. The Florida Atlantic Owls leaned on a hot start from Elohim, converting three of his first four shots.

FAU fell behind before a 7-0 run in less than two minutes brought the score within four. Rice grew the lead back to go up 40-27 at halftime.

SECOND HALF
Trailing by double digits with 11 minutes remaining, the Owls came storming back on a 12-2 run to cut the deficit to three points, highlighted by a soaring slam dunk from Elohim to give him a career high of 22 and a putback from Parker.

Parker continued to take over with back-to-back three-point plays to tie the game, erasing the double-digit deficit in a span of six minutes. Rice responded with under five minutes left to break the tie and maintain the lead. Parker had a third three-point play in him at the three-minute mark to bring the score to 73-71.

It was free throws for Florida Atlantic the rest of the way, with Rice putting it away with an 8-2 run.

PRESS CONFERENCE

GALLERY

Gallery: (2-11-2026) MBB at Rice

STATS & NOTES

For the third game in a row, an Owl set a career high in scoring. This time, it was two with Elohim (22), setting the mark for the second time in three games, joined by Parker (25).
Parker's 21 points in the second half are the third time this season he scored 15+ in the final period. It is the most points by an Owl in one half in the John Jakus era. He recorded his second double-double in a row, third in four games, and fourth overall.
Moretti reached 200 collegiate assists with his first of the night.
Florida Atlantic won the rebounding battle 43-33. Parker led the way with 10, six of them coming from the offensive end.

UP NEXT
Florida Atlantic returns home to face South Florida on Sunday, Feb. 15, at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. on ESPN2. The afternoon will be a 'Red Out' presented by Baptist Health.

FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.

Florida Atlantic's 205-26 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.