Wednesday, November 26
San Juan, Puerto Rico
11:30 a.m.
Rice University
4-2,0-0American
75
vs
72
Illinois State
4-2,0-0MVC
1
2
3
4
OT 1
F
Illinois St.
11
13
18
21
9
72
Rice
11
14
14
24
12
75
Rice Rallies Past Illinois State in Overtime
11/26/2025 3:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SAN JUAN – The Rice women's basketball team used a fourth-quarter rally to eventually take down Illinois State 75-72 in overtime in the team's opening game at the Discover Puerto Rico Shootout in San Juan. Rice improves to 4-2 on the season, while the Redbirds fall to 4-2.
Career days led the Owls with Shelby Hayes dropping a career-high 23 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks, while Dominique Ennis added another 23 points, including her 1,000th career point, four rebounds, four steals and two assists. Victoria Flores rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points, two rebounds and an assist.
As a team, Rice shot 25-of-68 (36.8%) from the floor and 3-of-20 (15%) from the three-point line. The Owls added a 22-of-28 (80%) showing from the free throw line.
Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"I'm so proud of this team, our toughness and grit that we showcased today was incredible. We stepped up and made shots and free throws when needed, and got big-time stops on the defensive end when the game was on the line. Dom and Shelby really showed up to lead us as seniors should on both ends of the floor."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Illinois State got the first scores of the game before Ennis got Rice on the board with a three-pointer. Down three, back-to-back Ennis and Flores baskets put the Owls in front. Down by four, Ennis and Louann Battiston scored to tie the game at 11-11 to close the first.
Second Quarter
Aniah Alexis opened the scoring in the second, with the Redbirds taking the lead back shortly after. Hayes' jumper followed by another Ennis three gave Rice an 18-14 lead with six minutes till the half. After trading scores, Hayes put the Owls lead back up to three, but a Illinois State basket to close the half gave Rice a 25-24 lead at the break.
Third Quarter
Hayes and Flores extended the Rice lead to open the third, with Ennis' layup eventually giving the Owls a 33-28 advantage. After a run put the Redbirds ahead, Ennis gave the lead back to the Owls with another score. Rice trailed 42-39 entering the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Illinois State built its lead to eight to open the fourth before a pair of Flores free throws got Rice back on the board. After trading scores, Ennis sank a three to get Rice within three at 51-48, with Flores following with a layup to make it a one-point game. Alexis followed soon after with a layup to put Rice back in front with 5:01 remaining. After trading several scores, Hayes gave Rice a four-point lead with 54 seconds left. A Redbird three cut the deficit to one, with Rice making one of two free throws on the other end. Illinois State tied the game with eight seconds remaining, with both sides not converting on the final plays to send the game to overtime at 63-63.
Overtime
Ennis opened the extra frame with a jumper, with Illinois State responding with a three to take back the lead. After trading free throws, another Ennis jumper gave Rice a 69-68 lead with 2:37 to go. Trailing by one, Alexis sank two free throws to put Rice ahead with 43 seconds left. Hayes stopped the go-ahead shot with a block, with Ennis hitting two free throws on the other end as the Owls pulled out the win.
Quick Notes
Hayes had a career-high 23 points and 15 rebounds.
Ennis had a season-high 23 points.
She became the 27th player to surpass 1,000 career points in program history.
Rice has now embarked on fourth-quarter comebacks in back-to-back wins (12 points vs. UIW, 8 points vs. Illinois State).
The Owls are now 2-2 all-time against Illinois State.
UP NEXT
The Owls continue the Discover Puerto Rico Shootout tomorrow against Morgan State.
Career days led the Owls with Shelby Hayes dropping a career-high 23 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks, while Dominique Ennis added another 23 points, including her 1,000th career point, four rebounds, four steals and two assists. Victoria Flores rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points, two rebounds and an assist.
As a team, Rice shot 25-of-68 (36.8%) from the floor and 3-of-20 (15%) from the three-point line. The Owls added a 22-of-28 (80%) showing from the free throw line.
"I'm so proud of this team, our toughness and grit that we showcased today was incredible. We stepped up and made shots and free throws when needed, and got big-time stops on the defensive end when the game was on the line. Dom and Shelby really showed up to lead us as seniors should on both ends of the floor."
First Quarter
Illinois State got the first scores of the game before Ennis got Rice on the board with a three-pointer. Down three, back-to-back Ennis and Flores baskets put the Owls in front. Down by four, Ennis and Louann Battiston scored to tie the game at 11-11 to close the first.
Second Quarter
Aniah Alexis opened the scoring in the second, with the Redbirds taking the lead back shortly after. Hayes' jumper followed by another Ennis three gave Rice an 18-14 lead with six minutes till the half. After trading scores, Hayes put the Owls lead back up to three, but a Illinois State basket to close the half gave Rice a 25-24 lead at the break.
Third Quarter
Hayes and Flores extended the Rice lead to open the third, with Ennis' layup eventually giving the Owls a 33-28 advantage. After a run put the Redbirds ahead, Ennis gave the lead back to the Owls with another score. Rice trailed 42-39 entering the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Illinois State built its lead to eight to open the fourth before a pair of Flores free throws got Rice back on the board. After trading scores, Ennis sank a three to get Rice within three at 51-48, with Flores following with a layup to make it a one-point game. Alexis followed soon after with a layup to put Rice back in front with 5:01 remaining. After trading several scores, Hayes gave Rice a four-point lead with 54 seconds left. A Redbird three cut the deficit to one, with Rice making one of two free throws on the other end. Illinois State tied the game with eight seconds remaining, with both sides not converting on the final plays to send the game to overtime at 63-63.
Overtime
Ennis opened the extra frame with a jumper, with Illinois State responding with a three to take back the lead. After trading free throws, another Ennis jumper gave Rice a 69-68 lead with 2:37 to go. Trailing by one, Alexis sank two free throws to put Rice ahead with 43 seconds left. Hayes stopped the go-ahead shot with a block, with Ennis hitting two free throws on the other end as the Owls pulled out the win.
Quick Notes
Hayes had a career-high 23 points and 15 rebounds.
Ennis had a season-high 23 points.
She became the 27th player to surpass 1,000 career points in program history.
Rice has now embarked on fourth-quarter comebacks in back-to-back wins (12 points vs. UIW, 8 points vs. Illinois State).
The Owls are now 2-2 all-time against Illinois State.
The Owls continue the Discover Puerto Rico Shootout tomorrow against Morgan State.
Team Stats
ILS
Rice
FG%
.382
.368
3FG%
.308
.150
FT%
.800
.786
RB
41
49
TO
14
13
STL
2
5
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
9
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
23
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's BasketballWBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
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