DENTON, Texas – No. 13 Charlotte defeated No. 12 Rice, 64-61, in the first round of the 2025 American Men’s Basketball Championship Wednesday afternoon, March 12 at the Super Pit in Denton, Texas.
With the win, the 49ers (11-21) advances to face No. 5 Florida Atlantic in the second round on Thursday, March 13 at 2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU and ESPN+. It was Rice’s first
Nik Graves made a jumper with 1:09 remaining to give the 49ers a 62-59 lead. Denver Anglin of Rice (13-19) made two free throws to cut the lead to one with 47.0 seconds remaining. After a timeout, the Owls forced a steal and took a timeout with 13.0 seconds remaining down 62-61.
Rice’s Trae Broadnax missed a go-ahead jumper for the lead at the other end, Giancarlo Rosado made two free throws with 6.2 seconds left to push the lead back to three. Charlotte prevented a good look to close out the game.
After taking a 49-41 lead with 10:35 remaining in the game, the Owls were held without a field goal for a full eight minutes allowing the 49ers to come back and take the lead.
Graves and Rosado led Charlotte with 18 points each.
Kellen Amos led the Owls with 15 points.
2025 American Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule
(All Rounds Except First Round Played at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas)
First Round | Wednesday, March 12 | Super Pit in Denton, Texas
Game 1: No. 13 Charlotte 64, No. 12 Rice 61
Second Round | Thursday, March 13
Game 2: No. 9 South Florida vs No. 8 Wichita State | 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT | ESPNU and ESPN+
Game 3: No. 13 Charlotte vs No. 5 Florida Atlantic | 2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. CT | ESPNU and ESPN+
Game 4: No. 10 Tulsa vs No. 7 Temple | 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT | ESPNU and ESPN+
Game 5: No. 11 UTSA vs No. 6 East Carolina | 9 p.m. ET8 p.m. CT | ESPNU and ESPN+
Quarterfinals | Friday, March 14
Game 6: Game 2 Winner vs No. 1 Memphis | 1 p.m. ET/Noon CT | ESPN2 and ESPN+
Game 7: Game 3 Winner vs No. 4 Tulane | 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT | ESPN2 and ESPN+
Game 8: Game 4 Winner vs No. 2 North Texas | 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT | ESPNU and ESPN+
Game 9: Game 5 Winner vs No. 3 UAB | 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT | ESPNU and ESPN+
Semifinals | Saturday, March 15
Game 10: Game 6 Winner vs Game 7 Winner | 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT | ESPN2 and ESPN+
Game 11: Game 8 Winner vs Game 9 Winner | 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT | ESPN2 and ESPN+
Final | Sunday, March 16
Game 12: Game 10 Winner vs Game 11 Winner | 3:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. CT | ESPN and ESPN+
