Friday, February 12
Houston, TX
2 P.M.
Rice University
-111,70 CUSA
64
vs
55
WKU
-611,56 CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
Western Ky.
15
20
9
11
55
Rice
18
16
18
12
64
Photo by: Juan DeLeon
Owls Defeat Lady Toppers in Return
2/12/2021 5:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Mulkey posts line of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 blocks
HOUSTON – After nearly a month away from game action, the Rice Owls women's basketball team picked up right where they left off with a 64-55 victory over the WKU Lady Toppers Friday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Owls (11-1, 7-0), who had their previous six games postponed due to a combination of COVID-19 protocols and injuries, won their seventh straight game overall and remained the only unbeaten team in Conference USA this season behind a stellar performance from senior center Nancy Mulkey.
Fresh off being named to the Top-10 for the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List, Mulkey stuffed the box score with a team-high 22 points, 10 rebounds, and season-high eight blocks. While recording her third double-double of the season, Mulkey made 10-of-12 shots from the field (2-of-3 at the free throw line) all while playing 32 minutes.
Junior wing Lauren Schwartz complimented Mulkey's output with 18 points, eight of which came in the all-important fourth quarter. Schwartz made 6-of-10 field goal attempts, including 4-of-7 from three-point territory. Senior guard Sydne Wiggins (10 points) also scored in double-figures and tied junior teammate Jasmine Smith for a team-best six assists.
Rice held WKU (6-11, 5-6) to just 22 percent shooting in the second half and a total of 20 points. Senior forward Raneem Elgedawy led all players with 29 points for the Lady Toppers but made just 13-of-34 shot attempts from the field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Owls outscored the Lady Toppers 18-15 in the opening period as Schwartz connected on a pair of three-pointers to start the game while Mulkey and sophomore forward India Bellamy scored four points apiece. Elgedawy scored eight points in the quarter to lead WKU but the Owls still held the lead after 10 minutes.
Second Quarter
Elgedawy helped lead a comeback for the Lady Toppers by scoring 14 of the team's 20 points in the second period and WKU took a 35-34 halftime lead. Mulkey helped keep the Owls close with eight points in the quarter on 4-of-5 shooting from the field.
Third Quarter
The Owls turned up the defensive pressure coming out of the locker room, outscoring the Lady Toppers 18-9 and limiting WKU to just 4-of-19 shooting. On the offensive end, Mulkey (8 points) and Wiggins (6 points) led the charge for the Owls and Rice outscored WKU 7-0 in fastbreak points.
Fourth Quarter
WKU got as close as 54-50 with 5:24 remaining but the Owls showed their winning composure by outscoring the Lady Toppers 10-5 the rest of the way, including a personal 7-0 run by Schwartz to help put the contest away.
Up Next
Rice will host the Lady Toppers once again tomorrow with tip-off set for 4 p.m. on ESPN+.
The Owls (11-1, 7-0), who had their previous six games postponed due to a combination of COVID-19 protocols and injuries, won their seventh straight game overall and remained the only unbeaten team in Conference USA this season behind a stellar performance from senior center Nancy Mulkey.
Fresh off being named to the Top-10 for the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List, Mulkey stuffed the box score with a team-high 22 points, 10 rebounds, and season-high eight blocks. While recording her third double-double of the season, Mulkey made 10-of-12 shots from the field (2-of-3 at the free throw line) all while playing 32 minutes.
Junior wing Lauren Schwartz complimented Mulkey's output with 18 points, eight of which came in the all-important fourth quarter. Schwartz made 6-of-10 field goal attempts, including 4-of-7 from three-point territory. Senior guard Sydne Wiggins (10 points) also scored in double-figures and tied junior teammate Jasmine Smith for a team-best six assists.
Rice held WKU (6-11, 5-6) to just 22 percent shooting in the second half and a total of 20 points. Senior forward Raneem Elgedawy led all players with 29 points for the Lady Toppers but made just 13-of-34 shot attempts from the field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Owls outscored the Lady Toppers 18-15 in the opening period as Schwartz connected on a pair of three-pointers to start the game while Mulkey and sophomore forward India Bellamy scored four points apiece. Elgedawy scored eight points in the quarter to lead WKU but the Owls still held the lead after 10 minutes.
Second Quarter
Elgedawy helped lead a comeback for the Lady Toppers by scoring 14 of the team's 20 points in the second period and WKU took a 35-34 halftime lead. Mulkey helped keep the Owls close with eight points in the quarter on 4-of-5 shooting from the field.
Third Quarter
The Owls turned up the defensive pressure coming out of the locker room, outscoring the Lady Toppers 18-9 and limiting WKU to just 4-of-19 shooting. On the offensive end, Mulkey (8 points) and Wiggins (6 points) led the charge for the Owls and Rice outscored WKU 7-0 in fastbreak points.
Fourth Quarter
WKU got as close as 54-50 with 5:24 remaining but the Owls showed their winning composure by outscoring the Lady Toppers 10-5 the rest of the way, including a personal 7-0 run by Schwartz to help put the contest away.
Rice will host the Lady Toppers once again tomorrow with tip-off set for 4 p.m. on ESPN+.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
WKU
RICE
FG%
.329
.469
3FG%
.211
.300
FT%
.385
.750
RB
44
36
TO
15
20
STL
9
11
Game Leaders
Pts
22
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
4
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballWBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09