Saturday, January 4
Houston, TX
2:00 pm CT
Rice University
-76,20 CUSA
73
vs
65
WKU
-85,02 CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
Western Ky.
17
16
19
13
65
Rice
15
14
20
24
73
Owls Improve to 2-0 in C-USA, Defeat WKU 73-65
1/4/2020 5:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON – A 24-13 fourth quarter advantage helped propel the Rice Owls women's basketball team to a 73-65 home victory over WKU on Saturday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Rice (7-6, 2-0) won their 21st consecutive conference game with a balanced scoring attack, led by a career-high 21 points from freshman Lauren Schwartz. The Union, Ky. native made 6-of-11 shots from the field and 8-of-11 at the free throw line.
Rice senior guard Erica Ogwumike recorded her second double-double in as many games with 18 points and a game-high 12 rebounds while playing all 40 minutes. Junior guard Sydne Wiggins added a career-high 17 points, which included three of the Owls five made three-pointers on the afternoon. Junior center Nancy Mulkey (10 points) was the fourth Owl in double-figures while also contributing seven rebounds and four blocks.
The Owls defeated WKU (8-5, 0-2) for a fourth straight time in the series by holding an opponent to less than 70 points for a 33rd straight game dating back to last season. Rice also took advantage at the charity stripe, converting 26-of-36 attempts (72%).
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
WKU led by as much as 13-4 midway through the quarter but Rice closed the period strong with an 11-4 run to pull to within 17-15 after 10 minutes of play. Schwartz scored eight points in the opening quarter but WKU's Raneem Elgedawy answered with eight points of her own and WKU scored 11 points off Rice turnovers.
Second Quarter
Ogwumike scored five points and grabbed eight rebounds in the second period alone but WKU still managed to outscore the Owls 16-14 in the quarter, grabbing a 33-29 halftime edge.
Third Quarter
The two teams exchanged leads four separate times, along with four ties, in a quarter which Rice won 20-19. Schwartz and Ogwumike scored six points apiece and the Owls shot 54 percent from the field.
Fourth Quarter
A quick 6-0 run to start the quarter gave the Owls a 55-52 lead, one which Rice wouldn't relinquish the rest of the afternoon. Wiggins scored 11 of her 17 points in the quarter and Rice shot 16-of-21 at the free throw line. The Rice defense held WKU to just four made field goals and blocked four shots in the quarter.
Up Next
The Owls hit the road for the first time in 2020 with a trip to the state of Florida next weekend. Rice will first face Florida Atlantic on Thursday, Jan. 9 (6 p.m. CT) on ESPN+ followed by a tilt in Miami at FIU on Saturday, Jan. 11 (1 p.m. CT).
-RiceOwls.com-
Rice (7-6, 2-0) won their 21st consecutive conference game with a balanced scoring attack, led by a career-high 21 points from freshman Lauren Schwartz. The Union, Ky. native made 6-of-11 shots from the field and 8-of-11 at the free throw line.
Rice senior guard Erica Ogwumike recorded her second double-double in as many games with 18 points and a game-high 12 rebounds while playing all 40 minutes. Junior guard Sydne Wiggins added a career-high 17 points, which included three of the Owls five made three-pointers on the afternoon. Junior center Nancy Mulkey (10 points) was the fourth Owl in double-figures while also contributing seven rebounds and four blocks.
The Owls defeated WKU (8-5, 0-2) for a fourth straight time in the series by holding an opponent to less than 70 points for a 33rd straight game dating back to last season. Rice also took advantage at the charity stripe, converting 26-of-36 attempts (72%).
First Quarter
WKU led by as much as 13-4 midway through the quarter but Rice closed the period strong with an 11-4 run to pull to within 17-15 after 10 minutes of play. Schwartz scored eight points in the opening quarter but WKU's Raneem Elgedawy answered with eight points of her own and WKU scored 11 points off Rice turnovers.
Second Quarter
Ogwumike scored five points and grabbed eight rebounds in the second period alone but WKU still managed to outscore the Owls 16-14 in the quarter, grabbing a 33-29 halftime edge.
Third Quarter
The two teams exchanged leads four separate times, along with four ties, in a quarter which Rice won 20-19. Schwartz and Ogwumike scored six points apiece and the Owls shot 54 percent from the field.
Fourth Quarter
A quick 6-0 run to start the quarter gave the Owls a 55-52 lead, one which Rice wouldn't relinquish the rest of the afternoon. Wiggins scored 11 of her 17 points in the quarter and Rice shot 16-of-21 at the free throw line. The Rice defense held WKU to just four made field goals and blocked four shots in the quarter.
The Owls hit the road for the first time in 2020 with a trip to the state of Florida next weekend. Rice will first face Florida Atlantic on Thursday, Jan. 9 (6 p.m. CT) on ESPN+ followed by a tilt in Miami at FIU on Saturday, Jan. 11 (1 p.m. CT).
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
WestKy
Rice
FG%
.385
.467
3FG%
.227
.333
FT%
.714
.722
RB
31
38
TO
13
20
STL
12
7
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
8
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
17
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
6
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
C
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
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