Tuesday, December 30
Tampa, FL
6 p.m.
Rice University
11-3,1-0American
70
at
68
South Florida
7-7,0-1American
1
2
3
4
F
Rice
18
16
21
15
70
South Fla.
16
12
22
18
68
Owls Win Thriller at USF in Conference Opener
12/30/2025 9:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
TAMPA – The Rice women's basketball team closed 2025 with a bang after emerging victorious for a 70-68 win over South Florida after a back-and-fourth affair in the closing minutes at the Yuengling Center. Rice earns its sixth consecutive win to improve to 11-3 (1-0 American) while the Bulls fall to 7-7 (0-1 American).
Aniah Alexis led the Owls with 19 points, six rebounds, an assist and steal, while Dominique Ennis added 17 points, four rebounds, three steals and an assist. Shelby Hayes finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Victoria Flores rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
As a team, Rice shot 23-of-67 (34.3%) from the floor and 9-of-23 (39.1%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 15-of-20 (75%) showing from the free throw line.
Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"Wow, what a way to start conference play. I am so proud of this team's toughness and their togetherness. They truly embody the saying 'Rice Fight Never Dies.' We refused to lose tonight even when they took the lead late in the game. We locked in and got scores and big time stops when we needed them most down the stretch. I am a proud coach! Go Owls!"
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Ennis opened the game's scoring with a triple, with the Bulls following with a score. Leading by four, Alexis extended the Rice lead to six points with a layup. After a run tied the game, Ennis sank a three to go back in front. Down one, Ennis' third three of the quarter game Rice an 18-16 lead at the end of one.
Second Quarter
Alexis sank a three to open the second quarter, with the Owls eventually going up by six before USF embarked on an 8-0 run to take the lead. Louann Battiston hit a three to open a 12-0 run with Hailey Adams, Hayes and a Flores three adding as Rice led 34-24. The Owls led 34-28 at the half.
Third Quarter
The two sides traded scores out of the break before an Alexis three and Hayes layup put Rice back up by six. Leading by a point, Ennis' layup sparked an 11-0 run with Hayes and Flores adding as Rice went up 55-43. The Owls led 55-50 at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
USF got the first point of the final frame off a free throw with Ennis following with a jumper to go up six. Two quick scores got the Bulls within two, but a quick 5-0 run by Alexis put Rice up 62-55. Leading by seven with 5:00 minutes remaining, the Bulls went on a 9-0 run to take the lead. Alexis snapped the run with a three-pointer to regain the lead with 1:42 to play. USF found an answer with 36 seconds left to take a 68-67 lead. Hayes made a clutch layup with 17 seconds left to go back up one, with the Owls getting a defensive stop on the other end to go back to the free throw line. After making one of two to go up 70-68 with .3 seconds left, the defense held again to claim the conference opening victory.
Quick Notes
Alexis set a season high with 19 points.
Her four three-pointers set a career high.
Rice went a perfect 6-0 during December.
The Owls are now 3-4 all-time against South Florida.
UP NEXT
The Owls are on the road Saturday afternoon to take on Florida Atlantic.
Aniah Alexis led the Owls with 19 points, six rebounds, an assist and steal, while Dominique Ennis added 17 points, four rebounds, three steals and an assist. Shelby Hayes finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Victoria Flores rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
As a team, Rice shot 23-of-67 (34.3%) from the floor and 9-of-23 (39.1%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 15-of-20 (75%) showing from the free throw line.
"Wow, what a way to start conference play. I am so proud of this team's toughness and their togetherness. They truly embody the saying 'Rice Fight Never Dies.' We refused to lose tonight even when they took the lead late in the game. We locked in and got scores and big time stops when we needed them most down the stretch. I am a proud coach! Go Owls!"
First Quarter
Ennis opened the game's scoring with a triple, with the Bulls following with a score. Leading by four, Alexis extended the Rice lead to six points with a layup. After a run tied the game, Ennis sank a three to go back in front. Down one, Ennis' third three of the quarter game Rice an 18-16 lead at the end of one.
Second Quarter
Alexis sank a three to open the second quarter, with the Owls eventually going up by six before USF embarked on an 8-0 run to take the lead. Louann Battiston hit a three to open a 12-0 run with Hailey Adams, Hayes and a Flores three adding as Rice led 34-24. The Owls led 34-28 at the half.
Third Quarter
The two sides traded scores out of the break before an Alexis three and Hayes layup put Rice back up by six. Leading by a point, Ennis' layup sparked an 11-0 run with Hayes and Flores adding as Rice went up 55-43. The Owls led 55-50 at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
USF got the first point of the final frame off a free throw with Ennis following with a jumper to go up six. Two quick scores got the Bulls within two, but a quick 5-0 run by Alexis put Rice up 62-55. Leading by seven with 5:00 minutes remaining, the Bulls went on a 9-0 run to take the lead. Alexis snapped the run with a three-pointer to regain the lead with 1:42 to play. USF found an answer with 36 seconds left to take a 68-67 lead. Hayes made a clutch layup with 17 seconds left to go back up one, with the Owls getting a defensive stop on the other end to go back to the free throw line. After making one of two to go up 70-68 with .3 seconds left, the defense held again to claim the conference opening victory.
Quick Notes
Alexis set a season high with 19 points.
Her four three-pointers set a career high.
Rice went a perfect 6-0 during December.
The Owls are now 3-4 all-time against South Florida.
The Owls are on the road Saturday afternoon to take on Florida Atlantic.
Team Stats
Rice
USF
FG%
.343
.459
3FG%
.391
.286
FT%
.750
.833
RB
43
36
TO
17
13
STL
9
12
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
3
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
4
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ 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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