Saturday, March 13
Frisco, Texas
5 P.M.
Rice University
-184,122 CUSA
65
vs
68
Middle Tennessee (Championship)
-177,124 CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
Middle Tenn.
17
15
17
19
68
Rice
13
13
19
20
65
WBB Falls to Middle Tennessee in C-USA Championship
3/13/2021 9:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Mulkey, Schwartz named to All-Tournament Team
FRISCO, Texas – A late fourth quarter run came up just short for the Rice Owls women's basketball team in a 68-65 setback to fellow No. 1 seed Middle Tennessee Saturday evening in the Conference USA Championship.
Rice (18-4) was led by senior center Nancy Mulkey, who along with sophomore forward Lauren Schwartz were named afterwards to the C-USA All-Tournament Team. Mulkey scored a team-high 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds and five blocked shots. The three-time first-teamer scored 17 points in the second half on 8-of-9 shooting, including 13 points in the final period.
Junior guard Jasmine Smith also recorded a double-double, the first of her career, with 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Smith scored 10 of her points in the second half on 5-of-7 shooting from the field. Rice sophomore Katelyn Crosthwait also scored in double-figures with 13 points, connecting on three made three-pointers.
Rice outscored Middle Tennessee (17-7) in points the paint, 44-20, but the Lady Raiders were able to connect on 12 made three-pointers on 38 attempts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
MT outscored Rice 17-13 in the opening quarter behind 11 points from forward Courtney Whitson, who knocked down three of her six made three-pointers for the game. Sophomore forward India Bellamy came off the bench to score five points for the Owls.
Second Quarter
The Lady Raiders won the second quarter as well, 15-13, as C-USA Tournament MVP Anastasia Hayes scored seven points. Crosthwait helped keep the Owls close with a pair of three-point makes in the quarter and Rice trailed 32-26 at halftime.
Third Quarter
Rice crept a bit closer by outscoring MT 19-17 in the third period, one which saw Smith score eight points on 4-of-5 shooting. The Owls were able to close to within one point twice but the Lady Raiders held a 49-45 lead going into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Mulkey helped lead an immediate 6-0 run to start the period with three consecutive putbacks, briefly giving the Owls a 51-49 lead at the eight minute mark. After both teams exchanged field goals, the Lady Raiders went on an 11-0 and took a 63-53 lead with just 4:31 remaining.
The Owls refused to go down quietly as Mulkey helped lead a 7-0 run to pull to within 63-60 with 2:07 left. Both teams traded made three-pointers afterwards, including a huge Schwartz three-pointer with 1:01 remaining. After a Rice defensive stop, Smith was able to convert a layup and draw the foul but missed the ensuing free throw with 13 seconds left and Rice trailing 66-65.
Forced to foul, MT'S Rellah Boothe split a pair at the line and Rice used their final timeout after collecting the rebound. However, the Lady Raiders forced a final turnover and after another split at the free throw line, MT was able to prevail.
Rice (18-4) was led by senior center Nancy Mulkey, who along with sophomore forward Lauren Schwartz were named afterwards to the C-USA All-Tournament Team. Mulkey scored a team-high 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds and five blocked shots. The three-time first-teamer scored 17 points in the second half on 8-of-9 shooting, including 13 points in the final period.
Junior guard Jasmine Smith also recorded a double-double, the first of her career, with 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Smith scored 10 of her points in the second half on 5-of-7 shooting from the field. Rice sophomore Katelyn Crosthwait also scored in double-figures with 13 points, connecting on three made three-pointers.
Rice outscored Middle Tennessee (17-7) in points the paint, 44-20, but the Lady Raiders were able to connect on 12 made three-pointers on 38 attempts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
MT outscored Rice 17-13 in the opening quarter behind 11 points from forward Courtney Whitson, who knocked down three of her six made three-pointers for the game. Sophomore forward India Bellamy came off the bench to score five points for the Owls.
Second Quarter
The Lady Raiders won the second quarter as well, 15-13, as C-USA Tournament MVP Anastasia Hayes scored seven points. Crosthwait helped keep the Owls close with a pair of three-point makes in the quarter and Rice trailed 32-26 at halftime.
Third Quarter
Rice crept a bit closer by outscoring MT 19-17 in the third period, one which saw Smith score eight points on 4-of-5 shooting. The Owls were able to close to within one point twice but the Lady Raiders held a 49-45 lead going into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Mulkey helped lead an immediate 6-0 run to start the period with three consecutive putbacks, briefly giving the Owls a 51-49 lead at the eight minute mark. After both teams exchanged field goals, the Lady Raiders went on an 11-0 and took a 63-53 lead with just 4:31 remaining.
The Owls refused to go down quietly as Mulkey helped lead a 7-0 run to pull to within 63-60 with 2:07 left. Both teams traded made three-pointers afterwards, including a huge Schwartz three-pointer with 1:01 remaining. After a Rice defensive stop, Smith was able to convert a layup and draw the foul but missed the ensuing free throw with 13 seconds left and Rice trailing 66-65.
Forced to foul, MT'S Rellah Boothe split a pair at the line and Rice used their final timeout after collecting the rebound. However, the Lady Raiders forced a final turnover and after another split at the free throw line, MT was able to prevail.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
MTSU
Rice
FG%
.381
.438
3FG%
.316
.263
FT%
.800
.571
RB
35
39
TO
8
11
STL
4
3
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballWBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09