Rice University Athletics
Owls Open Season Friday at Monmouth
11/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2006
West Long Branch, N.J. -
Rice kicks off the 2006-07 women's basketball season Friday night at 7 pm ET at Monmouth, looking to build on an 18-14 record and a fifth trip to the Women's National Invitation Tournament last season. The Owls finished second in their inaugural season in Conference USA, and also took second in the league tournament.
Senior forward Lauren Neaves, a C-USA first-teamer and all-tourney honoree last year, returns as the team's leading scorer and rebounder and is one of the top post players in the nation. Neaves, who averaged 15.7 points and 10.8 rebounds to go with 2.3 blocked shots a game last season, was one of only 25 players nationally to average a double-double. She continued her hot hand in last week's exhibition loss to Lake Truck with 12 points and 11 boards.
Krystal Frazier is another welcome returnee for the Owls after missing the final 15 games last season due to an Achilles tendon injury. A C-USA third team selection last year, Frazier was the squad's leading scorer before her injury. She scored 11 points in 28 minutes against Lake Truck. Junior center Valeriya Berezhynska is tabbed as a breakout player for the Owls, and she opened up with a team-high 17 points and five steals against Lake Truck.
Monmouth was 14-14 last season, placing fourth in the NEC. The Hawks are led by Brianne Edwards, who scored 8.7 points a game in 2005-06, and NEC all-freshman forward Rachel Ferdinand, who hauled down a team-best 5.5 caroms on average. The two teams have met once previously, with Rice taking a 73-58 win in the 2004 Gene Hackerman Rice Invitational at Autry Court.
Friday's game, along with all 2006-07 Rice women's games, will be broadcast on KTRU, 91.7 FM, with Clifton Morris calling the play-by-play.
Rice will face Rider at Lawrenceville, N.J., Sunday at 2 pm ET.
