Friday, March 15
Frisco, TX
5:30 p.m. CT
Rice University
27-3
64
vs
57
WKU
18-14
1
2
3
4
F
WKU
15
15
11
16
57
Rice
17
8
18
21
64
Owls Advance to C-USA Title Game
3/15/2019 8:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball
First time since 2007; earn 20th straight victory
FRISCO, Texas – The No. 24 Rice Owls women's basketball team fought back from a 10-point first half deficit to defeat the WKU Lady Toppers 64-57 in the semifinals of the C-USA Championships, earning a berth in Saturday's title game for the third time in program history.
Rice (27-3) earned their 20th consecutive victory, the nation's third-longest active streak, by outscoring the Lady Toppers (18-14) 39-27 in the all-important second half. The Owls will face the winner of Middle Tennessee/UAB.
"We know in tournament time that this is a battle," Rice head coach Tina Langley said. "It's going to be the team that can continue to keep their head about them and execute in really tough moments. I'm really proud of the toughness, both physical and mental, that our team showed today."
Rice junior guard and C-USA MVP Erica Ogwumike achieved her 18th double-double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds, with 19 of those points coming in the second half. Ogwumike made 6-of-12 shots from the field (8-of-8 at the free throw line) and also dished out four assists.
Sophomore guard Sydne Wiggins scored in double-figures for a second straight game, registering 11 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists. Sophomore center Nancy Mulkey also scored in double-digits, adding 10 points to go along with a game-high three blocks.
Defensively the Owls held WKU to just 57 points on 40 percent shooting, 17 points fewer than their season average.
The Owls, who will be competing for their first-ever C-USA Championship title, last appeared in the C-USA Championship game in 2007. Saturday's game will be at 4:30 p.m. and broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
Rice (27-3) earned their 20th consecutive victory, the nation's third-longest active streak, by outscoring the Lady Toppers (18-14) 39-27 in the all-important second half. The Owls will face the winner of Middle Tennessee/UAB.
"We know in tournament time that this is a battle," Rice head coach Tina Langley said. "It's going to be the team that can continue to keep their head about them and execute in really tough moments. I'm really proud of the toughness, both physical and mental, that our team showed today."
Rice junior guard and C-USA MVP Erica Ogwumike achieved her 18th double-double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds, with 19 of those points coming in the second half. Ogwumike made 6-of-12 shots from the field (8-of-8 at the free throw line) and also dished out four assists.
Sophomore guard Sydne Wiggins scored in double-figures for a second straight game, registering 11 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists. Sophomore center Nancy Mulkey also scored in double-digits, adding 10 points to go along with a game-high three blocks.
Defensively the Owls held WKU to just 57 points on 40 percent shooting, 17 points fewer than their season average.
The Owls, who will be competing for their first-ever C-USA Championship title, last appeared in the C-USA Championship game in 2007. Saturday's game will be at 4:30 p.m. and broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
WKU
RICE
FG%
.400
.489
3FG%
.286
.333
FT%
.778
.857
RB
26
33
TO
12
16
STL
7
3
Game Leaders
Pts
22
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
8
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
C
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Wednesday, March 09