Saturday, February 22
Houston, Texas
4 p.m.
Rice University
13-14,6-9AAC
55
vs
57
UTSA
23-3,14-1AAC
1
2
3
4
F
UTSA
23
13
11
10
57
Rice
14
13
12
16
55
Rice’s Comeback Falls Just Short on Senior Day
2/22/2025 6:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON – The Rice women's basketball team clawed all the way back from a 16-point deficit but ultimately fell just short of conference-leading UTSA 57-55 Saturday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse. The Owls fall to 13-14 (6-9 AAC), while the Roadrunners move to 23-3 (14-1 AAC).
The Owls honored the team's six seniors: Maya Bokunewicz, Malia Fisher, Trinity Gooden, Emily Klaczek, Sussy Ngulefac and graduate assistant Terrance McBride.
Dominique Ennis led the Owls with 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Sussy Ngulefac added another 11 points, nine rebounds, one steal and one block.
As a team, Rice shot 22-of-55 (41.5%) from the floor and 4-of-16 (25%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 7-of-11 (63.6%) display from the free throw line.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
UTSA opened the game on a 6-0 run before Emily Klaczek got the Owls on the board. After Malia Fisher made it an 8-4 game, the Roadrunners embarked on a 10-0 run to take a 14-point lead. Aniah Alexis' three-pointer cut into the deficit, with Ennis later bringing Rice within 12 with a jumper. Ennis later capped off the quarter with a buzzer three as UTSA led 23-14.
Second Quarter
The Roadrunners opened the second with a triple before Ennis had the quick answer with another three. Down 13, Ennis and Fisher hit back-to-back shots to bring Rice within single digits. The Owls trailed 36-27 at the half.
Third Quarter
After trading scores, a quick run gave UTSA a 14-point lead before Hailey Adams snapped the run with a jumper. Down 14 again, back-to-back Ngulefac scores got the Owls within nine. Ennis got the Owls closer at the end of the quarter, with UTSA leading 47-39.
Fourth Quarter
Ennis and Alexis brought Rice within five before the Roadrunners got back on the board. Down seven, Ennis sank a three to get Rice within four, but UTSA responded with its own three to extend the lead. Victoria Flores and Ennis made it a one-possession game, with Ngulefac getting Rice within one with 14 seconds left. The Owls had a chance at the buzzer for the win, but Ennis' three was off the mark.
Quick Notes
Ennis moved into fifth all-time for threes in a season with 64.
Alexis set a career-high with two blocks.
UP NEXT
The Owls close the three-game homestand next Tuesday night against UAB.
The Owls honored the team's six seniors: Maya Bokunewicz, Malia Fisher, Trinity Gooden, Emily Klaczek, Sussy Ngulefac and graduate assistant Terrance McBride.
Dominique Ennis led the Owls with 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Sussy Ngulefac added another 11 points, nine rebounds, one steal and one block.
As a team, Rice shot 22-of-55 (41.5%) from the floor and 4-of-16 (25%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 7-of-11 (63.6%) display from the free throw line.
First Quarter
UTSA opened the game on a 6-0 run before Emily Klaczek got the Owls on the board. After Malia Fisher made it an 8-4 game, the Roadrunners embarked on a 10-0 run to take a 14-point lead. Aniah Alexis' three-pointer cut into the deficit, with Ennis later bringing Rice within 12 with a jumper. Ennis later capped off the quarter with a buzzer three as UTSA led 23-14.
Second Quarter
The Roadrunners opened the second with a triple before Ennis had the quick answer with another three. Down 13, Ennis and Fisher hit back-to-back shots to bring Rice within single digits. The Owls trailed 36-27 at the half.
Third Quarter
After trading scores, a quick run gave UTSA a 14-point lead before Hailey Adams snapped the run with a jumper. Down 14 again, back-to-back Ngulefac scores got the Owls within nine. Ennis got the Owls closer at the end of the quarter, with UTSA leading 47-39.
Fourth Quarter
Ennis and Alexis brought Rice within five before the Roadrunners got back on the board. Down seven, Ennis sank a three to get Rice within four, but UTSA responded with its own three to extend the lead. Victoria Flores and Ennis made it a one-possession game, with Ngulefac getting Rice within one with 14 seconds left. The Owls had a chance at the buzzer for the win, but Ennis' three was off the mark.
Quick Notes
Ennis moved into fifth all-time for threes in a season with 64.
Alexis set a career-high with two blocks.
The Owls close the three-game homestand next Tuesday night against UAB.
Team Stats
UTSA
Rice
FG%
.339
.415
3FG%
.278
.250
FT%
.600
.636
RB
34
41
TO
11
21
STL
10
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
9
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's BasketballWBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09