Rice University Athletics
10th Gene Hackerman Tournament Starts Friday
12/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 7, 2006
Houston -
This weekend, Autry Court will be a hotbed of women's college basketball action as the Owls host the 10th Gene Hackerman Rice Invitational tournament. The tourney kicks off Friday at 5 pm with Kent State taking on Idaho State, and Rice hosts Alcorn State at 7 pm.
The tournament, named in honor of the wife of former Rice president Norman Hackerman, continues Saturday with the consolation game at 5 pm and the championship matchup at 7 pm.
Rice enters the tournament with a 5-3 record, including an upset of then #10 Texas A&M, while Alcorn State is 3-2. The Lady Braves have wins over Henderson State, Jacksonville State and Idaho.
The Owls are led by Conference USA player of the week Lauren Neaves, who ranks sixth nationally in rebounding with 11.5 per game. Neaves needs 25 more rebounds to take over the Rice all-time lead in that category. She is also averaging 19 points a game and has blocked 17 shots.
Alcorn State's Rasaan Powell averages a team-high 20.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, and Shawntawnee Collins chips in 15.5 ppg and a team-best 9.2 boards. Guard Tanika Nunez leads the team in steals with 22, and scores at a 13.8 ppg clip.
