HOUSTON (Interstat) — A pair of American Athletic Conference teams looking to build on midweek victories will meet Saturday when the Rice Owls host the East Carolina Pirates at Tudor Fieldhouse. The game is a quick rematch of a Jan. 28 contest in Greenville, North Carolina, which Rice (11-14) won 83-77 behind 19 points from guard Nick Anderson. The Owls have won two of their last three, including an 81-73 home win over Florida Atlantic on Wednesday. Anderson led the way with 23 points in that victory, continuing a strong stretch where he has averaged 18.7 points over his last seven games. East Carolina (8-16) arrives after one of its best performances of the season, an 88-72 home win over Texas-San Antonio on Wednesday. Pirates guard Isaiah Mbeng shined with 18 points and six assists in 32 minutes. His play will be critical for a Pirates squad that has struggled on the road, though they did secure a narrow 76-75 win at Florida Atlantic on Feb. 1. Rice has shown resilience at home recently, with its last two wins at Tudor Fieldhouse coming in dramatic fashion: the overtime victory over Florida Atlantic and a double-overtime, 86-83 triumph over North Texas on Feb. 4. The Owls’ offense, averaging 78 points in conference play, will test an East Carolina defense that allows 76.6 points per game overall. The matchup features two of the league’s top guards in Anderson and Mbeng. Anderson has been a consistent scoring force for Rice, while Mbeng is coming off a complete performance and will look to avenge his quieter showing in the first meeting with the Owls, when he was held scoreless in 27 minutes. With both teams near the bottom of the AAC standings, the game represents a key opportunity to gain momentum heading into the final weeks of the regular season. Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Houston.