Sunday, March 10
Fort Worth, TX
6:00 PM
Rice University
16-14,9-9AAC
71
vs
56
UAB
18-13,9-9AAC
1
2
3
4
F
Rice
18
18
20
15
71
UAB
16
11
14
15
56
Rice Rolls Past UAB; Advances to AAC Quarterfinals
3/10/2024 9:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FORT WORTH – After trading leads early, the Rice women's basketball team built a cushion in the second quarter and never looked back, defeating UAB 71-56 in the AAC Tournament Second Round at Dickies Arena. The win snaps a five-game skid for the Owls and moves them to 16-14 (9-9 AAC) on the season.
Malia Fisher picked up right where she left off during the regular season, leading the Owls with 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal. Destiny Jackson added 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while Sussy Ngulefac finished 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a block.
As a team, Rice shot 31-of-70 (44.3%) from the floor and 4-of-16 (25%) from three-point range. Rice was 5-of-8 (62.5%) at the free throw line. Rice out-rebounded UAB 53-32, with 20 offensive rebounds leading to 15 second-chance points.
Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"I was really proud of our team's effort, focus and intensity. We had that want to win, that I'm going to put my foot down and do whatever it takes to get a win. We were tough, we were resilient, and we played the brand of basketball that we're used to playing. It feels good to get back in the win column. It feels good to see how we were playing and celebrating for one another and I'm just really proud of our efforts."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Ngulefac opened the scoring with a layup, with the Blazers quickly responding with a three-pointer. Ngulefac countered the score with another layup, with Emily Klaczek following with a three as the Owls grabbed a four-point lead. Leading 11-8, Jackson drilled a three-pointer, with Fisher later scoring a pair of baskets as the Owls led 18-16 at the end of the first.
Second Quarter
A 6-0 Blazer run opened the second, but Klaczek and Dominique Ennis snapped the run to even the score. Down by two, Jackson and Hailey Adams hit back-to-back scores, with Jackson continuing the run with a three, as Rice took a 29-24 lead. Up by four, Fisher and Adams connected again to extend the lead to eight points. Rice led 36-27 at halftime.
Third Quarter
Following a UAB score, Ngulefac scored three straight Rice baskets as the two sides traded baskets early. Up by nine points, Fisher and Ennis hit consecutive baskets to extend the lead to double digits. After a Blazer score, Fisher kickstarted an 8-0 run, with Ennis and Ngulefac also contributing, as Rice took a 54-35 lead. Rice led 56-41 at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
UAB opened the final frame with a basket, but Maya Bokunewicz quickly responded with a three-pointer. Fisher and Jazzy Owens-Barnett countered the next couple of UAB scores, leading 63-46 with 6:33 remaining in the game. The Blazers were unable to cut the deficit down to single digits, as the Owls maintained their lead for the 71-56 win.
TEAM NOTES
UP NEXT
The Owls will face second-seeded North Texas in the AAC Quarterfinals tomorrow night at 6 p.m.
Malia Fisher picked up right where she left off during the regular season, leading the Owls with 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal. Destiny Jackson added 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while Sussy Ngulefac finished 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a block.
As a team, Rice shot 31-of-70 (44.3%) from the floor and 4-of-16 (25%) from three-point range. Rice was 5-of-8 (62.5%) at the free throw line. Rice out-rebounded UAB 53-32, with 20 offensive rebounds leading to 15 second-chance points.
"I was really proud of our team's effort, focus and intensity. We had that want to win, that I'm going to put my foot down and do whatever it takes to get a win. We were tough, we were resilient, and we played the brand of basketball that we're used to playing. It feels good to get back in the win column. It feels good to see how we were playing and celebrating for one another and I'm just really proud of our efforts."
First Quarter
Ngulefac opened the scoring with a layup, with the Blazers quickly responding with a three-pointer. Ngulefac countered the score with another layup, with Emily Klaczek following with a three as the Owls grabbed a four-point lead. Leading 11-8, Jackson drilled a three-pointer, with Fisher later scoring a pair of baskets as the Owls led 18-16 at the end of the first.
Second Quarter
A 6-0 Blazer run opened the second, but Klaczek and Dominique Ennis snapped the run to even the score. Down by two, Jackson and Hailey Adams hit back-to-back scores, with Jackson continuing the run with a three, as Rice took a 29-24 lead. Up by four, Fisher and Adams connected again to extend the lead to eight points. Rice led 36-27 at halftime.
Third Quarter
Following a UAB score, Ngulefac scored three straight Rice baskets as the two sides traded baskets early. Up by nine points, Fisher and Ennis hit consecutive baskets to extend the lead to double digits. After a Blazer score, Fisher kickstarted an 8-0 run, with Ennis and Ngulefac also contributing, as Rice took a 54-35 lead. Rice led 56-41 at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
UAB opened the final frame with a basket, but Maya Bokunewicz quickly responded with a three-pointer. Fisher and Jazzy Owens-Barnett countered the next couple of UAB scores, leading 63-46 with 6:33 remaining in the game. The Blazers were unable to cut the deficit down to single digits, as the Owls maintained their lead for the 71-56 win.
- With the win, Rice is now 13-11 all-time against UAB.
- Rice made a season-high 31 field goals.
- Ngulefac finished with a season-high nine rebounds.
- Fisher has surpassed 20+ points in five of Rice's last seven games.
- Jackson moved into 14th all-time in scoring in Rice history.
The Owls will face second-seeded North Texas in the AAC Quarterfinals tomorrow night at 6 p.m.
Team Stats
Rice
UAB
FG%
.443
.359
3FG%
.250
.200
FT%
.625
.636
RB
53
32
TO
11
8
STL
6
6
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's Basketball
G
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Wednesday, March 09