Wednesday, January 3
Houston, TX
7 p.m.
Rice University
7-5,1-0AAC
76
vs
64
Wichita State
5-9,1-1AAC
1
2
3
4
F
Wichita St.
16
14
13
21
64
Rice
18
15
20
23
76
Owls Victorious in AAC Debut Over Wichita State
1/3/2024 11:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON – The Rice women's basketball team debuted in the American Athletic Conference in style, defeating Wichita State 76-64 Wednesday evening. The game was played at the Fertitta Center due to water damage at Tudor Fieldhouse. Rice's record improves to 7-5 (1-0 AAC).
Dominique Ennis led the Owls with 17 points, four rebounds, four steals and an assist while Malia Fisher added 12 points, five rebounds and three steals. Destiny Jackson added another 12 points, three assists and three rebounds while Hailey Adams finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Jazzy Owens-Barnett rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Owls with 11 points, three steals and two assists.
As a team, Rice shot 27-of-65 (41.5%) from the floor and 6-of-24 (25%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 16-of-23 (69.6%) showing from the free throw line. Rice forced 24 Wichita State turnovers, scoring 29 points off of those turnovers.
Postgame Reaction - Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"I am so proud of this team for dealing with the adversity that we faced with our court and finding out we weren't going to be able to play at home. We could have hung our heads and we did not. We came in here and we battled, competed, won all four quarters and won in dominant fashion. If you had told me we would have won by one tonight, I would have been thrilled. To win by [a] dominant fashion makes me even more proud of this group. How tough they are, how resilient they are. We challenged them at halftime and I thought they responded really, really well. [We had] five in double figures and that's when we are at our best. I'm just really proud of this group.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Fisher opened the scoring with a jumper before later hitting a three-pointer as the Owls trailed 7-5 early. Trinity Gooden's steal and score tied the game, with the Shockers using a quick run to take the lead back. Owens-Barnett cut into the deficit, with an Ennis three bringing Rice within one. Ennis drilled another three-pointer to close the quarter as the Owls held an 18-16 lead.
Second Quarter
Following a Wichita State score, back-to-back baskets from Emily Klaczek gave Rice a four-point lead. Leading 22-20, Owens-Barnett's old-fashioned three-point play kickstarted a 9-0 run for the Owls and extended the Rice lead to 31-20. The Shockers closed the quarter on a 10-2 run to make the Rice lead 33-30 at the half.
Third Quarter
A quick 5-0 run gave the Shockers a 35-33 lead to open the third quarter, but Shelby Hayes' layup tied the game back up. Trailing by three, Owens-Barnett's three-pointer ignited a 9-0 run to give the Owls a 45-39 lead. After the Shockers cut the deficit to two points, Jackson scored a layup, followed by an Ennis three to extend the Rice lead to seven. The Owls led 53-43 at the end of the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
After a Wichita State score to open the fourth, Adams and Ennis connected on back-to-back baskets to give Rice a 12-point lead. Leading by 11, Fisher's and-one conversion gave Rice a 62-48 lead. After Ennis' three-pointer gave Rice its largest lead at 15 points, a 6-0 run brought the Shockers within nine, but Adams scored the next five points as the Owls eventually won 76-64.
TEAM NOTES
UP NEXT
Rice will continue AAC play this weekend at SMU on Sunday.
Dominique Ennis led the Owls with 17 points, four rebounds, four steals and an assist while Malia Fisher added 12 points, five rebounds and three steals. Destiny Jackson added another 12 points, three assists and three rebounds while Hailey Adams finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Jazzy Owens-Barnett rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Owls with 11 points, three steals and two assists.
As a team, Rice shot 27-of-65 (41.5%) from the floor and 6-of-24 (25%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 16-of-23 (69.6%) showing from the free throw line. Rice forced 24 Wichita State turnovers, scoring 29 points off of those turnovers.
"I am so proud of this team for dealing with the adversity that we faced with our court and finding out we weren't going to be able to play at home. We could have hung our heads and we did not. We came in here and we battled, competed, won all four quarters and won in dominant fashion. If you had told me we would have won by one tonight, I would have been thrilled. To win by [a] dominant fashion makes me even more proud of this group. How tough they are, how resilient they are. We challenged them at halftime and I thought they responded really, really well. [We had] five in double figures and that's when we are at our best. I'm just really proud of this group.
First Quarter
Fisher opened the scoring with a jumper before later hitting a three-pointer as the Owls trailed 7-5 early. Trinity Gooden's steal and score tied the game, with the Shockers using a quick run to take the lead back. Owens-Barnett cut into the deficit, with an Ennis three bringing Rice within one. Ennis drilled another three-pointer to close the quarter as the Owls held an 18-16 lead.
Second Quarter
Following a Wichita State score, back-to-back baskets from Emily Klaczek gave Rice a four-point lead. Leading 22-20, Owens-Barnett's old-fashioned three-point play kickstarted a 9-0 run for the Owls and extended the Rice lead to 31-20. The Shockers closed the quarter on a 10-2 run to make the Rice lead 33-30 at the half.
Third Quarter
A quick 5-0 run gave the Shockers a 35-33 lead to open the third quarter, but Shelby Hayes' layup tied the game back up. Trailing by three, Owens-Barnett's three-pointer ignited a 9-0 run to give the Owls a 45-39 lead. After the Shockers cut the deficit to two points, Jackson scored a layup, followed by an Ennis three to extend the Rice lead to seven. The Owls led 53-43 at the end of the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
After a Wichita State score to open the fourth, Adams and Ennis connected on back-to-back baskets to give Rice a 12-point lead. Leading by 11, Fisher's and-one conversion gave Rice a 62-48 lead. After Ennis' three-pointer gave Rice its largest lead at 15 points, a 6-0 run brought the Shockers within nine, but Adams scored the next five points as the Owls eventually won 76-64.
- The Owls are now 2-0 all-time against Wichita State.
- Ennis has reached double-digit points in 11 of Rice's 12 games this season.
- Adams' 12 points is a career high.
- Owens-Barnett's three steals is a career high.
Rice will continue AAC play this weekend at SMU on Sunday.
Team Stats
WSU
Rice
FG%
.415
.415
3FG%
.313
.250
FT%
.750
.696
RB
38
37
TO
24
16
STL
8
16
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
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