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Rice University Athletics
Rice University
UCLA
Women's Hoops Falls in Tight Affair at UCLA
11/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 18, 2007
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Maudess Fulton poured in a career-best 27 points to go along with eight rebounds, but it was not enough as the Rice University women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought 79-71 decision Sunday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion.
"We faced a lot of adversity in the first half and stayed close down the stretch," assistant coach Carlos Quintero said. "Maudess did an excellent job of stepping up and carrying the load. She wasn't intimidated by the bigger UCLA players and continues to get better with her timing each time she takes the floor."
Kadie Riverin matched her season-high with 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while Valeriya Berezhynska added 11 points and seven boards. Nine of Berezhynska's 11 points came in the second half.
Rice (4-1) fought back from a 59-48 hole with 12:16 remaining in the second half and trimmed the deficit down to 69-65 as Riverin hit a lay-up at the 4:00 mark.
UCLA (2-0) responded with a Lindsey Pluimer jumper. After a defensive stop, Nina Earl knocked down an eight-foot runner in transition on the left baseline to push the Bruin advantage back to 73-65 with 2:41 to go on the clock.
The Bruins converted 6-of-8 free throws in the final 1:08 to secure the 79-71 victory. Four UCLA players scored in double figures headlined by 14 points from Doreena Campbell. Pluimer and Regina Rogers tallied 12 points each, while Earl chipped in 11 on 4-of-8 shooting.
"UCLA made critical plays down the stretch and we had a couple shots go in-and-out," Quintero said. "I was proud that the team didn't give up and continued to fight back in a hostile environment."
Rice jumped out to a 22-14 lead with 9:30 left in the first half. Fulton got out to fast start hitting her first four shots, including a pair of three-point baskets.
UCLA charged back with a 9-0 spurt over the next 3:15 before the Owls went back ahead 31-27 on a Tiffany Loggins jumper at the 4:54 mark.
The Bruins finished the opening half on an 11-2 run and held Rice to one field goal to take a 38-33 lead going into halftime.
Rice faces off against Arkansas-Little Rock Tuesday in its home opener as a part of a basketball doubleheader at Reliant Arena. Tip-off is slated for 5pm against the Trojans followed by the men's team taking on Richmond.
"Even though it's short rest, it will be good for us to keep playing and stay game ready," Fulton said. "We know what Arkansas-Little Rock has after beating us last year at their place. We'll be excited to play at home in front of our fans."
