Saturday, January 9
Houston, TX
1 P.M.
Rice University
-81,40 CUSA
55
vs
43
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UTEP
-54,22 CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
UTEP
8
12
7
16
43
Rice
11
11
15
18
55
Owls Win Fourth Straight
1/9/2021 4:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Sweep weekend series from UTEP with 55-43 victory
HOUSTON – The Rice Owls women's basketball team put together their best defensive performance of the season on Saturday at Tudor Fieldhouse, defeating the UTEP Miners 55-43 to sweep the weekend series.
Rice (8-1, 4-0) allowed a season low in points and opponents field goal percentage (.271) while winning their 20th straight Conference USA home contest. Senior center Nancy Mulkey recorded six blocks for a second straight game against the Miners (5-4, 2-2) and moved to within one block from tying former Owl Jessica Kuster for second place in school history in career blocks.
The Owls, who are receiving votes in the AP Top 25, were led in scoring by senior guard Sydne Wiggins (15 points) and sophomore wing Lauren Schwartz (12 points).
Rice had the upper hand in points in the paint (28-14) and the battle of the boards (44-38).
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The first 10 minutes proved to be a defensive battle as the Owls outscored the Miners, 11-8. Wiggins scored seven of Rice's 11 points in the period by making 3-of-4 shots from the field, including her 100th career three-pointer. The Owls limited UTEP to 25 percent shooting from the floor in the quarter.
Second Quarter
The Miners outscored Rice 12-11 in the period as Wiggins chipped in four more points and the Owls held a 22-20 halftime advantage. The Owls used a 7-2 run to close the quarter to retake the lead going into the break, highlighted by a Schwartz three-pointer.
Third Quarter
Rice played a stellar quarter by outscoring UTEP 15-7 behind 60 percent shooting, scoring eight of their points in the paint. UTEP made just 3-of-14 shots in the quarter and turned the ball over four times.
Fourth Quarter
Schwartz helped put the game away with a nine-point quarter and pulled down six of her career-high eight rebounds over the final nine minutes. The Owls secured the win by making 7-of-8 free throw attempts in the period with Schwartz going 4-of-4.
Up Next
The Owls hit the road again for a two-game series at Old Dominion, beginning next Friday, Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. CT on CUSAtv. Rice and the Monarchs will then play again on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Rice (8-1, 4-0) allowed a season low in points and opponents field goal percentage (.271) while winning their 20th straight Conference USA home contest. Senior center Nancy Mulkey recorded six blocks for a second straight game against the Miners (5-4, 2-2) and moved to within one block from tying former Owl Jessica Kuster for second place in school history in career blocks.
The Owls, who are receiving votes in the AP Top 25, were led in scoring by senior guard Sydne Wiggins (15 points) and sophomore wing Lauren Schwartz (12 points).
Rice had the upper hand in points in the paint (28-14) and the battle of the boards (44-38).
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The first 10 minutes proved to be a defensive battle as the Owls outscored the Miners, 11-8. Wiggins scored seven of Rice's 11 points in the period by making 3-of-4 shots from the field, including her 100th career three-pointer. The Owls limited UTEP to 25 percent shooting from the floor in the quarter.
Second Quarter
The Miners outscored Rice 12-11 in the period as Wiggins chipped in four more points and the Owls held a 22-20 halftime advantage. The Owls used a 7-2 run to close the quarter to retake the lead going into the break, highlighted by a Schwartz three-pointer.
Third Quarter
Rice played a stellar quarter by outscoring UTEP 15-7 behind 60 percent shooting, scoring eight of their points in the paint. UTEP made just 3-of-14 shots in the quarter and turned the ball over four times.
Fourth Quarter
Schwartz helped put the game away with a nine-point quarter and pulled down six of her career-high eight rebounds over the final nine minutes. The Owls secured the win by making 7-of-8 free throw attempts in the period with Schwartz going 4-of-4.
The Owls hit the road again for a two-game series at Old Dominion, beginning next Friday, Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. CT on CUSAtv. Rice and the Monarchs will then play again on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
UTEP
Rice
FG%
.271
.339
3FG%
.261
.286
FT%
.833
.813
RB
38
44
TO
15
13
STL
6
6
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
C
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballWBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09