Saturday, November 28
Little Rock, Ark.
2 P.M.
Rice University
-20,00 CUSA
66
at
54
Little Rock
0-1,0-0Sun Belt
1
2
3
4
F
Rice
16
20
17
13
66
Little Rock
9
21
18
6
54
Photo by: Mark Wagner (Little Rock Athletics)
Owls Close Strong for Win at Little Rock
11/28/2020 6:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Behind a suffocating defensive performance in the fourth quarter, the Rice Owls women's basketball team improved to 2-0 on the young season by recording a 66-54 road victory Saturday afternoon at Little Rock (0-1).
The Owls spoiled the Trojans season opener by allowing just six points over the final 10 minutes on two made field goals on 17 attempts.
Rice placed four players in double-figures for a second straight game, which included a team-high 15 points off the bench in 21 minutes from junior guard Haylee Swayze. The Purcell, Oklahoma native connected on a trio of three-pointers and scored 10 of her points in the second half. Senior guard Sydne Wiggins stuffed the box score with 14 points (8-of-8 at the free throw line), seven rebounds and a team-high six assists.
Senior center Nancy Mulkey followed up her stellar season-opener with 13 points, six rebounds and a game-high five blocks while junior guard Jasmine Smith contributed 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Rice outshot Little Rock from the field, 44 percent-29 percent, and had an advantage in both fast break points (22-9) and bench points (20-7). The Owls were also the aggressors attacking the paint, making 17-of-22 attempts at the free throw line while the Trojans shot just 7-of-11 at the charity stripe.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Owls outscored Little Rock 16-9 in the opening period as the Trojans shot just 20 percent (3-of-15) from the floor and committed five turnovers. Rice used a 10-0 spurt to open up a cushion, capped by a Wiggins three-pointer at the 3:46 mark to give the Owls a 14-3 lead.
Second Quarter
The two teams picked up the pace over the next 10 minutes with Little Rock outscoring the Owls 21-20. Ten of Rice's 20 points came in transition and Swayze was perfect shooting the ball in the quarter, making a pair of shots from the field (including a three-pointer) and two free throw attempts for seven points. Little Rock's Bre'Amber Scott kept the Trojans close with 13 points in the quarter but the Owls still led 36-30 at halftime.
Third Quarter
Little Rock went on an 11-0 run in the early stages of the second half, taking a 43-39 lead with 4:52 left in the quarter. However, the Owls would close out the quarter strong with a 14-5 run of their own to lead 53-48 going to the fourth. Wiggins gave the Owls the lead for good with a three-pointer from Smith with 34 seconds left in the period.
Fourth Quarter
Mulkey scored six points in the quarter and the Owls' defense held the Trojans to just two points over the final 6:58. Rice scored the game's final seven points to secure their seventh straight win dating back to last season.
Up Next
The UT-Arlington women's basketball program announced on Thanksgiving they would be pausing all team activities due to a positive test for COVID-19, which includes the cancellation of the scheduled game versus Rice on Dec. 2. The Owls will next be in action on Dec. 11 when they host Texas Southern at 2 p.m. from Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Owls spoiled the Trojans season opener by allowing just six points over the final 10 minutes on two made field goals on 17 attempts.
Rice placed four players in double-figures for a second straight game, which included a team-high 15 points off the bench in 21 minutes from junior guard Haylee Swayze. The Purcell, Oklahoma native connected on a trio of three-pointers and scored 10 of her points in the second half. Senior guard Sydne Wiggins stuffed the box score with 14 points (8-of-8 at the free throw line), seven rebounds and a team-high six assists.
Senior center Nancy Mulkey followed up her stellar season-opener with 13 points, six rebounds and a game-high five blocks while junior guard Jasmine Smith contributed 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Rice outshot Little Rock from the field, 44 percent-29 percent, and had an advantage in both fast break points (22-9) and bench points (20-7). The Owls were also the aggressors attacking the paint, making 17-of-22 attempts at the free throw line while the Trojans shot just 7-of-11 at the charity stripe.
First Quarter
The Owls outscored Little Rock 16-9 in the opening period as the Trojans shot just 20 percent (3-of-15) from the floor and committed five turnovers. Rice used a 10-0 spurt to open up a cushion, capped by a Wiggins three-pointer at the 3:46 mark to give the Owls a 14-3 lead.
Second Quarter
The two teams picked up the pace over the next 10 minutes with Little Rock outscoring the Owls 21-20. Ten of Rice's 20 points came in transition and Swayze was perfect shooting the ball in the quarter, making a pair of shots from the field (including a three-pointer) and two free throw attempts for seven points. Little Rock's Bre'Amber Scott kept the Trojans close with 13 points in the quarter but the Owls still led 36-30 at halftime.
Third Quarter
Little Rock went on an 11-0 run in the early stages of the second half, taking a 43-39 lead with 4:52 left in the quarter. However, the Owls would close out the quarter strong with a 14-5 run of their own to lead 53-48 going to the fourth. Wiggins gave the Owls the lead for good with a three-pointer from Smith with 34 seconds left in the period.
Fourth Quarter
Mulkey scored six points in the quarter and the Owls' defense held the Trojans to just two points over the final 6:58. Rice scored the game's final seven points to secure their seventh straight win dating back to last season.
The UT-Arlington women's basketball program announced on Thanksgiving they would be pausing all team activities due to a positive test for COVID-19, which includes the cancellation of the scheduled game versus Rice on Dec. 2. The Owls will next be in action on Dec. 11 when they host Texas Southern at 2 p.m. from Tudor Fieldhouse.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
Rice
LR
FG%
.440
.292
3FG%
.278
.217
FT%
.773
.636
RB
47
38
TO
21
13
STL
2
9
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
8
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
C
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
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