Saturday, January 18
Houston, Texas
2 p.m.
Rice University
65
vs
56
East Carolina
Owls Win Defensive Battle Against East Carolina
1/18/2025 6:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON – The Rice women's basketball team pulled away late for a 65-56 win over East Carolina Saturday afternoon in a rematch of the AAC Championship game from last season. With the win, Rice improves to 10-8 (3-3 AAC), while ECU falls to 10-8 (2-4 AAC).
Victoria Flores led the way with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block, while Emily Klaczek added 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Aniah Alexis rounded out the Rice double-digit scorers with a career-high 13 points with eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.
As a team, Rice shot 20-of-51 (39.2%) from the floor and 6-of-18 (33.3%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 19-of-24 (79.2%) showing from the free throw line. The Owls held East Carolina to a 1-of-16 (6.3%) showing from three. Rice also had a season-high 12 steals.
Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"Really proud of the team, the toughness and the composure that we showed today. I thought our defense was really stingy. I thought we did a great job forcing turnovers, getting steals, and keeping them from scoring the ball. On a night like today, where your shots aren't falling or you're not scoring as good as you normally do, you can hang your hat on defense. I thought that was exactly what we did. I was really proud of their efforts."
For more of the post-game press conference, click here.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Pirates opened the game's scoring, with Flores' three-pointer getting Rice on the board. Down by one, back-to-back Hailey Adams buckets gave the Owls an early 7-4 lead. Leading by one, a Flores triple opened a quick 7-0 Rice run with Malia Fisher and Klaczek adding scores. Rice led 16-10 at the end of the first.
Second Quarter
After an ECU score, Shelby Hayes got the Rice offense going in the second. Leading by two, Klaczek drilled a triple, with Flores following with a steal and score as the Owls took a seven-point lead. Rice led 25-20 at halftime.
Third Quarter
A 9-3 Pirate run started the third quarter, with Flores' three-pointer putting the Owls back in front. Leading by five, Alexis' and-one conversion gave Rice a 37-29 lead. A quick run by ECU to close the third made it a 39-36 game at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
Alexis kicked off the fourth with a three-pointer, as the two sides traded scores early. Up by four, Alexis extended the lead with a layup. Following an ECU score, Klaczek hit a three to put Rice up 52-44. Another Pirate run made it a two-point game, but Alexis had the answer again with another and-one. ECU got within two once again with over a minute left, but a 7-0 Rice run to close the game gave the Owls the 65-56 win.
Quick Notes
Alexis had a career-high 13 points.
She tied a career-high with eight rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Owls open another road swing Wednesday night at UAB.
Victoria Flores led the way with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block, while Emily Klaczek added 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Aniah Alexis rounded out the Rice double-digit scorers with a career-high 13 points with eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.
As a team, Rice shot 20-of-51 (39.2%) from the floor and 6-of-18 (33.3%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 19-of-24 (79.2%) showing from the free throw line. The Owls held East Carolina to a 1-of-16 (6.3%) showing from three. Rice also had a season-high 12 steals.
"Really proud of the team, the toughness and the composure that we showed today. I thought our defense was really stingy. I thought we did a great job forcing turnovers, getting steals, and keeping them from scoring the ball. On a night like today, where your shots aren't falling or you're not scoring as good as you normally do, you can hang your hat on defense. I thought that was exactly what we did. I was really proud of their efforts."
For more of the post-game press conference, click here.
First Quarter
The Pirates opened the game's scoring, with Flores' three-pointer getting Rice on the board. Down by one, back-to-back Hailey Adams buckets gave the Owls an early 7-4 lead. Leading by one, a Flores triple opened a quick 7-0 Rice run with Malia Fisher and Klaczek adding scores. Rice led 16-10 at the end of the first.
Second Quarter
After an ECU score, Shelby Hayes got the Rice offense going in the second. Leading by two, Klaczek drilled a triple, with Flores following with a steal and score as the Owls took a seven-point lead. Rice led 25-20 at halftime.
Third Quarter
A 9-3 Pirate run started the third quarter, with Flores' three-pointer putting the Owls back in front. Leading by five, Alexis' and-one conversion gave Rice a 37-29 lead. A quick run by ECU to close the third made it a 39-36 game at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
Alexis kicked off the fourth with a three-pointer, as the two sides traded scores early. Up by four, Alexis extended the lead with a layup. Following an ECU score, Klaczek hit a three to put Rice up 52-44. Another Pirate run made it a two-point game, but Alexis had the answer again with another and-one. ECU got within two once again with over a minute left, but a 7-0 Rice run to close the game gave the Owls the 65-56 win.
Quick Notes
Alexis had a career-high 13 points.
She tied a career-high with eight rebounds.
The Owls open another road swing Wednesday night at UAB.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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