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Rice University Athletics
Rice University
Houston Baptist
Women's Hoops Cruises Past Houston Baptist
11/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 6, 2008
HOUSTON - The Rice women's basketball team started the 2008-09 season on a strong note with a balanced scoring attack during an 81-56 exhibition rout of Houston Baptist Thursday evening at Sharp Gym on the HBU campus.
Seven different players scored seven or more points as the Owls controlled the game from the opening tip to the final buzzer.
Rice's freshmen class led the way as Candace Ashford posted 13 points and 10 rebounds, while D'Frantz Smart filled the box score with nine points, five steals, four rebounds and four assists.
"Candace has been pleasant surprise," head coach Greg Williams said. "We've been impressed with what she's done in practice on a daily basis, but to see her do the same thing in a game situation was very encouraging for our team."
Amenemope McKinney added nine points on 3-of-5 shooting and Brianna Hypolite tallied seven points and five rebounds. Megan Elliott notched six points and three rebounds.
"It's important for our freshmen to grow with their confidence level on the court," Williams said. "Our freshmen class showed tonight that they belong on the Division I level. That's an important step for them not only mentally but physically."
Maudess Fulton fired in 10 points in 22 minutes and Emery Carter reeled off eights points to go along with eight rebounds. Tara Watts tacked on eight points and three steals
The Rice defense set the tone holding the Huskies without a field goal for the first 7:02 of the opening half.
HBU got as close as 10-8 with 12:18 on the clock before the Owls took control scoring 16 of the next 22 points to build a 26-14 advantage at the 5:41 mark. Six different players scored for Rice during the run.
The Owls continued their strong defensive play carrying a 33-20 lead into halftime. HBU was limited to a 5-for-25 shooting clip over the first half.
"I was a little concerned about our defense heading into the game because we've spent so much time in practice installing our new offense," Williams said. "HBU is a quick team and I was encouraged by our effort in the first half."
A jumper by Jelela Simpson drew the Huskies within 50-39 with 9:02 remaining. Simpson headlined HBU 14 points, eight rebounds and eight steals.
Rice charged back and put the game away with a 17-4 spurt over the 4:07 capped by a Smart three-point play to make it 67-43 with 4:54 to go.
"D'Frantz is a special player in a lot of different ways," Williams said. "I'm proud that's she's starting to be more of a team leader. You want that out of your point guard."
The Owls hauled down 21 offensive rebounds en route a 56-31 edge on the glass and dominated points in the paint by a 46-18 tally in addition to scoring 27 of the game's 28 second chance points.
Rice opens the regular season at Tudor Fieldhouse on November 14 against Cal State Northridge. Tip-off is slated for 7pm as basketball returns to the Rice campus for the first time in 20 months. The game can be heard live on KTRU 91.7 and Rice Owls.com.
