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Rice University Athletics
Rice University
Navy
Women's Hoops Guts Out 63-52 Win over Navy
11/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2007
ROCK HILL, S.C. - Tiffany Loggins poured in a career-high 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Rice women's basketball team claimed a 63-52 victory over Navy in the season-opener for both teams Friday at the Winthrop Adidas Classic.
"We're a very young team and at times our youth showed on the floor," associate head coach Misty Murphy said. "The good news is that we did a great job of fighting hard and stepping up in critical situations late in the game. Tiffany did a fantastic job and played the way a senior is supposed to."
Maudess Fulton added 14 points and four steals, while Morgan Mayse chipped in 10 points and five rebounds in her first career start for the Owls.
"Morgan is the type of player that doesn't show a lot of emotion on the floor," Murphy said. "She does a great job of letting the game come to her and executes when she is called upon."
The opening half was back-and-forth as the two teams traded the lead 10 times in addition to five ties.
After a jumper by Megan Hill at the 2:45 mark gave Navy a 26-25 edge, the Owls responded by closing the half on a 6-0 spurt to take a 31-26 lead into the locker room. Fulton scored four of the six points to spark the run.
Rice continued its strong play out of halftime and built 45-36 advantage on a Melissa Wittmayer jumper with 11:32 remaining. Wittmayer scored five points and added three blocks in her debut off the bench.
Navy fought back and got to within three points on two occasions. A pair of free throws by Cassie Consedine made it 53-50 with 3:19 to go. Consedine paced the Midshipmen with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
On the next possession, Shyrelle Horne pushed the ball up the floor and found Mayse on the left wing. The Athens native knocked down a 10-footer to push the advantage back to 55-50.
The Owls closed the game, scoring 10 of the final 12 points. Kadie Riverin hit all four of her free throws in the final 35 seconds and 7-of-8 in the second half to secure the 63-52 win.
"During your senior season, it's your job to set the tone and be leaders," Murphy said. "I thought that Kadie stepped up even though she didn't have her best shooting day by hitting her free throws down the stretch."
Rice continues the Winthrop Adidas Classic Saturday against North Texas. Tip-off is slated for noon CT. KTRU 91.7 FM and RiceOwls.com will have all of the action live from Winthrop Coliseum.
