Women's Basketball: Lady Owls Strike Down Rattlerettes, 74-47
12/30/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Lady Owls overpowered Florida A&M with a balanced offensive attack to drop the Ratterlettes 74-47 Thursday night at Tallahassee, Fla.
After trading baskets to open the game, senior Kirra Jordan ran off eight straight points, and the Rice women never looked back. Jordan was five-of-seven from the floor in the first half and finished the period with 12 points. As a team, the Lady Owls had their best shooting half of the season, hitting .640 (16-25) from the floor.
In the second half, Rice turned up the defensive intensity. The Lady Owls held the Rattlerettes to just .185 (5-27) shooting from the floor, the lowest for a Rice opponent this season. They also grabbed 32 rebounds in the final period, including 24 off the defensive glass.
Senior Marla Brumfield led four Owls in double-digit scoring with 18 points. Jordan finished with 14, while senior Kim Smallwood had 12 and freshman Kara Liggett chipped in 11. The Rice women also had their best night of the year from the charity stripe, hitting .846 (11-13) of their free throws.
Rice out-rebounded Florida A&M 46-30, including 37 defensive boards. Smallwood and Liggett led way with nine each as every Owl grabbed at least one board. Liggett's nine all came off the defensive glass and marked the best outing of her career.
Florida A&M was led by Akita Heatly, who finished the game with 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. Crystal Worlds also had six boards and was the only other Rattlerette to score in double-digits, finishing with 10. Overall, Florida A&M shot just .269 (14-52) from the floor, the lowest of the year for a Rice opponent.
The win improves Rice's record to 7-3, while Florida A&M falls to 2-7.
The Lady Owls return to action on Jan. 3, when they host former Southwest Conference foe Texas A&M at 7 pm at Autry Court.
