Sunday, March 9
Fort Worth, Texas
12 p.m.
Rice University
15-16,7-11AAC
76
vs
63
UAB
16-15,7-11AAC
1
2
3
4
F
Rice
15
21
21
19
76
UAB
15
13
20
15
63
Alexis Shines as Rice Defeats UAB in AAC Second Round
3/9/2025 3:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FORT WORTH – The ninth-seeded Rice women's basketball team opened their stay in the AAC Tournament with a win over eighth-seeded UAB 76-63 Sunday afternoon at Dickies Arena. Rice moves to 15-16 (7-11 AAC), while the Blazers fall to 16-15 (7-11 AAC).
In her first postseason game, freshman Aniah Alexis led the Owls with 18 points, five rebounds and an assist. Emily Klaczek added 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Dominique Ennis finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and an assist. Victoria Flores rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal.
As a team, Rice shot 25-of-65 (38.5%) from the floor and 9-of-26 (34.6%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 17-of-23 (73.9%) showing from the free throw line. Rice out-rebounded UAB 56-33, scoring 17 points off of second-chance opportunities.
Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"I'm just incredibly proud of our group. Grateful for the opportunity to compete in the conference tournament. Grateful to get the first win. I thought we had a very well-balanced attack; it was everything that we needed to get this first win."
For more of the post-game press conference, click here.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Blazers opened the game's scoring before Ennis hit a three to give Rice an early lead. After a run gave UAB a seven-point lead, back-to-back scores from Hailey Adams and Klaczek brought the Owls within two. Klaczek capped off the quarter with a triple as the two sides were tied 15-15.
Second Quarter
After trading free throws, UAB regained the lead off a three-pointer. Klaczek answered with her own three to hand the lead back to Rice. Tied at 24-24, back-to-back scores from Alexis and Sussy Ngulefac put Rice up four. Leading by three, Alexis hit a jumper, with Malia Fisher later following with a buzzer-beater three to give the Owls a 36-28 lead at the half.
Third Quarter
The Blazers opened the third by cutting the deficit to two before Alexis sparked the offense with a three. Klaczek followed with five-straight points as the Owls took a 48-38 lead. Leading by six, Ennis sank a triple to extend the lead. Rice led 57-48 at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
UAB got within five, but Ngulefac had the response to snap the quick run. Up by five, Flores hit a three to open a 12-0 run, with Adams, Fisher and Ennis also adding scores, as Rice took a 71-54 lead. Free throws for Rice closed the game, with the Owls advancing to the AAC Quarterfinal game.
Quick Notes
Ennis tied the all-time single-season three record at Rice with 74.
Ennis secured her fourth double-double of the season.
Fisher recorded her 750th career rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Owls will face top-seeded UTSA in the quarterfinal round of the AAC Tournament.
In her first postseason game, freshman Aniah Alexis led the Owls with 18 points, five rebounds and an assist. Emily Klaczek added 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Dominique Ennis finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and an assist. Victoria Flores rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal.
As a team, Rice shot 25-of-65 (38.5%) from the floor and 9-of-26 (34.6%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 17-of-23 (73.9%) showing from the free throw line. Rice out-rebounded UAB 56-33, scoring 17 points off of second-chance opportunities.
"I'm just incredibly proud of our group. Grateful for the opportunity to compete in the conference tournament. Grateful to get the first win. I thought we had a very well-balanced attack; it was everything that we needed to get this first win."
For more of the post-game press conference, click here.
First Quarter
The Blazers opened the game's scoring before Ennis hit a three to give Rice an early lead. After a run gave UAB a seven-point lead, back-to-back scores from Hailey Adams and Klaczek brought the Owls within two. Klaczek capped off the quarter with a triple as the two sides were tied 15-15.
Second Quarter
After trading free throws, UAB regained the lead off a three-pointer. Klaczek answered with her own three to hand the lead back to Rice. Tied at 24-24, back-to-back scores from Alexis and Sussy Ngulefac put Rice up four. Leading by three, Alexis hit a jumper, with Malia Fisher later following with a buzzer-beater three to give the Owls a 36-28 lead at the half.
Third Quarter
The Blazers opened the third by cutting the deficit to two before Alexis sparked the offense with a three. Klaczek followed with five-straight points as the Owls took a 48-38 lead. Leading by six, Ennis sank a triple to extend the lead. Rice led 57-48 at the end of the third.
Fourth Quarter
UAB got within five, but Ngulefac had the response to snap the quick run. Up by five, Flores hit a three to open a 12-0 run, with Adams, Fisher and Ennis also adding scores, as Rice took a 71-54 lead. Free throws for Rice closed the game, with the Owls advancing to the AAC Quarterfinal game.
Quick Notes
Ennis tied the all-time single-season three record at Rice with 74.
Ennis secured her fourth double-double of the season.
Fisher recorded her 750th career rebounds.
The Owls will face top-seeded UTSA in the quarterfinal round of the AAC Tournament.
Team Stats
Rice
UAB
FG%
.385
.354
3FG%
.346
.368
FT%
.739
.625
RB
56
33
TO
16
10
STL
5
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's BasketballWBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09