Memphis Tigers vs. Rice Owls - News - January 03, 2026 | FOX Sports

Dug McDaniel scores 18 as Memphis downs Rice 76-70

Led by Dug McDaniel's 18 points, the Memphis Tigers defeated the Rice Owls 76-70

JANUARY 3 • Associated Press

Dug McDaniel - Returns after injury, scores 18 McDaniel accumulated 18 points (5-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 7-7 FT), six rebounds, four assists and four steals over 36 minutes during Saturday's 76-70 victory over Rice.

Impact McDaniel left the game briefly in the first half after appearing to injure his leg. He went to the locker room and returned after halftime to play the majority of the game. The 5-11 senior has had multiple steals in six straight games. He is averaging 14.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.3 steals.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Trae Broadnax - Scores 15 in loss Broadnax fouled out of Saturday's 76-70 loss to Memphis after recording 15 points (3-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 9-12 FT), two rebounds, one block and one steal in 32 minutes.

Impact After being held to just eight points (his second single-digit scoring performance of the season) in the American Conference opener against Tulsa, Broadnax was back in double-digits in the team's third-straight loss. He fouled out for the fifth time this season. Rice will look to win its first conference game at Wichita State on Wednesday. Broadnax had four points, four rebounds and four assists in the loss to the Shockers last year.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Dug McDaniel - Returns vs. Owls McDaniel (leg) returned to action during Memphis' 76-70 win over Rice on Saturday.

Impact McDaniel was taken to the locker room in Memphis' win over Rice, but he proceeded to return and still wound up as the Tigers' leading scorer. He should be good to go for the next game, a road test at Florida Atlantic.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Stephen Giwa - Logs nine boards, three blocks Giwa logged four points (2-4 FG, 0-1 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal over 25 minutes before fouling out of Saturday's 76-70 loss to Memphis.

Impact Giwa got the starting nod for a second straight game with recent struggles from big man Jimmy Oladokun. Giwa delivered in the paint once again, logging his second-highest rebound total of the year and sending back three shots from the Tigers. The senior center has now logged eight blocks in his last two games, so it's likely he'll be stuck in the paint as the starter moving forward.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Davis - Records three steals in start Davis contributed four points (0-5 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), three rebounds and three steals over 23 minutes during Saturday's 76-70 victory over Rice.

Impact Davis recorded his first start since mid-December in the win over Rice, and he was able to contribute heavily on the defensive side of the ball. The 6-foot-7 senior logged his highest steal total since the Tigers' season opener, and he recorded his sixth steal in his last three games. It's unknown if he'll get a start again next Sunday at FAU, but he should still be a meaningful contributor if not.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Dug McDaniel - Taken to locker room vs. Rice McDaniel (leg) was taken to the locker room during Memphis' clash with Rice, per Parth Upadhyaya of DailyMemphian.com.

Impact The guard left the court Saturday against Rice in the first half, holding his right leg. He proceeded to be taken to the locker room, and there's no word yet on his status. McDaniel had notched seven points, three rebounds and two assists before he was knocked out of the game.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE