Rice University
Stephen F. Austin
Owls Open Action vs. SFA
11/9/2022 11:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
First of two home games to open 22-23 campaign
Rice Owls (0-0) vs. Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks (1-0)
Games 1 • Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 • 7 p.m.
Houston, Texas • Tudor Fieldhouse
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Owls Host SFA in 2022-23 Opener
Lindsay Edmonds and the Rice Owls welcome Stephen F. Austin to Tudor Fieldhouse on Thursday to open the 2022-23 season in the back half of a doubleheader with the Owls' men's team who open the action against St. Thomas at 5 p.m. Tipoff for the women's opener is tentatively set for 7 p.m. or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the men's game. Thursday's game is the first of two home contests to open the season for Rice. The Owls will be back in action on Sunday at 2 p.m. when they host Abilene Christian.
Picking Up Where We Left Off
After starting the conference season 0-5 against the heavyweights of the East Division (combined record of 62-28) and playing with a short bench, the Owls were one of the hottest teams in the conference down the stretch, winning six of the last seven to close the regular season, then advancing to the second round of the C-USA tournament and took top-seeded Charlotte to the wire before seeing their run end with a 59-53 loss.
Rice vs. SFA
This will be the first meeting between the schools since the Ladyjacks took a 59-45 decision in Nacogdoches on 12/19/15. SFA holds a 4-2 lead in the series thanks to winning all three games held on its home floor, while Rice has won two of three at Tudor Fieldhouse. Rice's last win in the series came on 12/15/12, 60-41 at Tudor.
Rice in Season Openers
The Owls are 34-10 all-time in season openers dating back to 1978-79 and have won nine of their last 12 opening tilts. Rice is also 11-1 in their last 12 home openers, including six straight wins.
Defending Home Court
The Owls have won 28 of their last 35 games at Tudor Fieldhouse, and have gone a combined 30-8 at home over the last three years. Rice is 69-14 at home since the 2016-17 season.
First Action
Rice opened its season last Saturday by trouncing Texas College 94-32 in an exhibition game. Six Owls scored in double-figures, led by freshman Shelby Hayes who scored 15 points in 16 minutes of action while collecting a team-high 11 rebounds. Maya Bokunewicz hit on five of six shots to finish with 14 points in 15 minutes while Ashlee Austin chipped in 12. Freshmen Dominique Ennis (12) and Kennedy Clifton (11) also scored in double figures in their debuts as did junior transfer Fatou Samb (10). Ennis added six rebounds as did Malia Fisher and Destiny Jackson.
