Rice University
Ole Miss
Owls Take 92-91 Thriller From Ole Miss
11/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 17, 2006
Houston -
Lauren Neaves scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, and Kadie Riverin scored on a layup with seven seconds left in the second overtime to give Rice (3-0) a thrilling 92-91 win over Ole Miss (2-1) in women's basketball action Friday at Autry Court. It was the first multiple-overtime game for Rice since a 65-60 win at Massachusetts on Nov. 23, 2001.
"We are a much better team this year," said Neaves, who notched her 38th career double-double. "We are playing well together. This win was huge. It's a great relief to come out with a win and be 3-0 to start the year."
The win was revenge for the Owls after a 110-63 loss at Oxford, Miss., last year, and five Rice players scored in double figures. Ole Miss shot 101 times, the most ever by a Rice opponent, but hit only 33.7 percent from the field and a dismal 21-46 from the free throw line. Rice shot a solid 45.1 percent from the field and 79.4 percent from the line to overcome 33 turnovers.
Riverin poured in 18 points, including a perfect 8-8 from the line, and added six boards and five assists. Valeriya Berezhynska also had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Maudess Fulton added 14 points. Tiffany Loggins was the other Owl in double figures, scoring 10 points and grabbing a career-high 10 rebounds for her first double-double.
Rice was whistled for 31 fouls, the second-highest total in school history, and hauled down 46 defensive rebounds, also second on the all-time list.
Ashley Awkward led Ole Miss with 24 points, but the Owls held preseason all-America guard Armintie Price to only nine points and four rebounds. She came into the game averaging 29 points.
"It was a 48-point swing from last year," said head coach Greg Williams. "I can't say enough about the people who guarded Price, because she is about to join some of the all-time greats in the game."
Rice returns to action Monday at Arkansas-Little Rock at 7 pm.
