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Rice University Athletics
Rice University
Winthrop
Women's Hoops Claims Winthrop Adidas Classic Title
11/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 11, 2007
Rice at Winthrop Box Score (PDF) 
ROCK HILL, S.C. - Valeriya Berezhynska matched a career-high with 31 points, added 10 rebounds and won Tournament MVP honors as the Rice women's basketball team earned a hard-fought 63-54 overtime win over Winthrop Sunday in the championship game of the Winthrop Adidas Classic.
Rice has started the season 3-0 for the second time in three seasons under head coach Greg Williams.
"We're extremely happy to come out victorious, emerge with a 3-0 weekend and win this tournament," assistant coach Kim Austin said. "Our effort on both sides of the ball was fantastic down the stretch."
Rice fought back from a 47-37 deficit with 7:33 remaining in the second half. Maudess Fulton found a wide-open Berezhynska on the right baseline for a three-pointer with 20 seconds left to even the score at 52-52 and force overtime.
The Owls continued their strong play in extra frame and outscored the Eagles 11-2. Fulton tallied 17 points of her own and notched All-Tournament honors, while Tara Watts put together a well-balanced performance with four points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
"Val had a phenomenal game and a break-out weekend," Austin said. "She showed a lot of confidence and was really comfortable on the offense end."
Rice came out firing on all cylinders building a 16-0 advantage at the 14:39 mark of the opening half. The Owls defense forced seven Winthrop turnovers as Berezhynska poured in nine quick points. The Eagles regrouped and chipped the Rice lead down to a 30-26 edge at halftime.
Winthrop took its first lead at 36-34 with 15:04 to go in the second half as Franchesca Davenport hit a jumper. Davenport capped a 21-7 spurt for Winthrop to open the second half with lay-up at the 7:33 mark to give the Eagles a 47-37 lead.
Davenport paced the Eagles with 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while Ashley Fan added 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Rice returns to the road and faces Cal State Northridge Friday at 9pm CT. All of the action from Los Angeles will be live on RiceOwls.com and KTRU 91.7 FM.
