Saturday, February 16
Houston, TX
2:00 p.m. CT
Rice University
22-3, 13-0
63
vs
35
Florida Atlantic
5-21, 2-11
1
2
3
4
F
Florida Atlantic
3
5
13
14
35
Rice
15
24
10
14
63
Photo by: Juan DeLeon
Defense Leads the Way for Owls in 15th Straight Win
2/16/2019 4:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Defeat Florida Atlantic, 63-35
HOUSTON – The Rice Owls women's basketball team extended their historic winning streak to 15 straight victories by clamping down defensively in a 63-35 victory over Florida Atlantic on Saturday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse.
"I loved the way we started the game," Rice head coach Tina Langley said. "I thought we had great intensity on the defensive end of the floor and came out and set a good tone for the game. I like the way we prepared for both games this week and I think you could tell that by the starts of our games. I was pleased by how we executed."
Rice (22-3, 13-0) became the first team in the nation this season to improve to 13-0 in conference play by limiting FAU to 23.5 percent shooting and just eight first half points, tied for the second-fewest allowed by an Owls team in program history.
The 35 points allowed by the Owls was tied for the second-lowest output by a Conference USA opponent this season and the fewest allowed by a Rice team since surrendering 31 points to UTEP in 2007.
The Owls pushed their overall win streak to 15 straight, which trails only No. 3 Oregon (17 wins) for the longest active winning streak in the nation. In addition, the Owls secured their 14th straight home victory dating back to last season and have now held 15 straight opponents below 70 points.
Junior guard Erica Ogwumike recorded her C-USA leading 15th double-double of the season (sixth straight overall) with a team-best 13 points and 10 rebounds in just 22 minutes of action. Senior forward Shani Rainey contributed a season-high 12 points in 17 minutes while senior guard Nicole Iademarco chipped in 10 points.
Rice, who led start-to-finish for the eighth time in 13 C-USA games, outscored FAU (5-21, 2-11) in points in the paint (34-10), second chance points (13-3), fast break points (16-0) and bench scoring (34-5).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Quarter 1
The Owls jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the first three minutes behind five points from Iademarco. Iademarco's second three-pointer of the quarter pushed the lead to 13-3 with 4:14 remaining and Rice closed the period with a 15-3 lead. Rice held FAU scoreless over the final 5:52 and just 1-of-12 shooting for the quarter.
Quarter 2
Rice used an 8-1 run over the first four minutes to open up a commanding 23-4 lead, which would grow to 39-8 at quarter's end. Rice limited FAU to one field goal for a second straight quarter and outscored the Owls 24-5. Rainey scored seven points in the period and Rice made 8-of-15 shots from the field.
Quarter 3
FAU outscored Rice 13-10 in the quarter as the Owls were able to spread minutes around with a commanding lead. FAU never got closer than 49-21 in the quarter.
Quarter 4.
Rainey scored five points in the final period as both teams played to a 14-14 draw.
UP NEXT
The Owls play just one game next week, a trip to North Texas on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. on ESPN+. Rice returns home for their final regular season home game on Saturday, Mar. 2 when they host Louisiana Tech at 2 p.m. on Senior Day. For ticket information, visit RiceOwls.com or call 713-348-OWLS (6957).
-RiceOwls.com-
"I loved the way we started the game," Rice head coach Tina Langley said. "I thought we had great intensity on the defensive end of the floor and came out and set a good tone for the game. I like the way we prepared for both games this week and I think you could tell that by the starts of our games. I was pleased by how we executed."
Rice (22-3, 13-0) became the first team in the nation this season to improve to 13-0 in conference play by limiting FAU to 23.5 percent shooting and just eight first half points, tied for the second-fewest allowed by an Owls team in program history.
The 35 points allowed by the Owls was tied for the second-lowest output by a Conference USA opponent this season and the fewest allowed by a Rice team since surrendering 31 points to UTEP in 2007.
The Owls pushed their overall win streak to 15 straight, which trails only No. 3 Oregon (17 wins) for the longest active winning streak in the nation. In addition, the Owls secured their 14th straight home victory dating back to last season and have now held 15 straight opponents below 70 points.
Junior guard Erica Ogwumike recorded her C-USA leading 15th double-double of the season (sixth straight overall) with a team-best 13 points and 10 rebounds in just 22 minutes of action. Senior forward Shani Rainey contributed a season-high 12 points in 17 minutes while senior guard Nicole Iademarco chipped in 10 points.
Rice, who led start-to-finish for the eighth time in 13 C-USA games, outscored FAU (5-21, 2-11) in points in the paint (34-10), second chance points (13-3), fast break points (16-0) and bench scoring (34-5).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Quarter 1
The Owls jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the first three minutes behind five points from Iademarco. Iademarco's second three-pointer of the quarter pushed the lead to 13-3 with 4:14 remaining and Rice closed the period with a 15-3 lead. Rice held FAU scoreless over the final 5:52 and just 1-of-12 shooting for the quarter.
Quarter 2
Rice used an 8-1 run over the first four minutes to open up a commanding 23-4 lead, which would grow to 39-8 at quarter's end. Rice limited FAU to one field goal for a second straight quarter and outscored the Owls 24-5. Rainey scored seven points in the period and Rice made 8-of-15 shots from the field.
Quarter 3
FAU outscored Rice 13-10 in the quarter as the Owls were able to spread minutes around with a commanding lead. FAU never got closer than 49-21 in the quarter.
Quarter 4.
Rainey scored five points in the final period as both teams played to a 14-14 draw.
The Owls play just one game next week, a trip to North Texas on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. on ESPN+. Rice returns home for their final regular season home game on Saturday, Mar. 2 when they host Louisiana Tech at 2 p.m. on Senior Day. For ticket information, visit RiceOwls.com or call 713-348-OWLS (6957).
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
FAU
RICE
FG%
.235
.418
3FG%
.150
.238
FT%
.444
.800
RB
33
43
TO
16
16
STL
7
9
Game Leaders
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG/F
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Wednesday, March 09