Hot Shooting Sends Rice Past South Florida

Tuesday, February 17

Houston, Texas

7 p.m.

Rice University

23-3,13-0American

South Florida

16-11,9-5American

South Fla.

Rice

Hot Shooting Sends Rice Past South Florida

2/17/2026 11:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Anthony Roberts (ar186@rice.edu)

HOUSTON – The Rice women's basketball team used hot shooting throughout the night to defeat South Florida 79-72 Tuesday night at Tudor Fieldhouse. The Owls secured their 18^th consecutive win to move to 23-3 (13-0 American), while the Bulls fell to 16-11 (9-5 American).

Victoria Flores led the Owls with 24 points, on 7-of-11 shooting, with three assists, two rebounds and two steals, while Shelby Hayes added 15 points, six rebounds and a steal. Hailey Adams recorded 13 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and a block, while Aniah Alexis rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.

As a team, Rice shot 31-of-59 (52.5%) from the floor and 4-of-14 (28.6%) from the three-point line. The Owls added a 13-of-17 (76.5%) display from the free throw line.

Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"What a battle. What a win. We talked before the game about needing to have mental toughness, needing to have physical toughness and needing to have togetherness. Our team did that and they did it for 40 minutes. Even in the signs of adversity, we were able to rally together. Our huddles got tighter and we always responded. I'm really, really proud of that effort. That's a great team; they're going to win a lot of games. We showed how impressive we can be too."

For the full press conference, click here.

HOW IT HAPPENED,
First Quarter
Hayes opened the game's scoring as she traded several scores early with South Florida. Down one, Dominique Ennis sank a three, with Adams later extending the lead to five points. Adams and Hayes traded baskets with USF to take a 14-9 lead at the end of one.

Second Quarter
Alexis got the second quarter started, with a Jordin Blackmon and-one conversion eventually putting Rice up eight. After the Bulls got within a point, a Rice run with Alexis, Flores and Adams put the Owls up 27-20. Louann Battiston and Adams closed Rice scoring in the half, as the Owls led 35-26 at halftime.

Third Quarter
Hayes and Alexis went back to work to open the third quarter, countering several USF scores. Leading by eight, Flores drilled a three to push the lead to 44-33. With the lead down to five, Alexis' free throw, followed by another Flores three, pushed the advantage back up to nine. Rice led 57-50 at the end of three. Adams

Fourth Quarter
The two sides traded baskets to open the fourth before Flores hit her third triple to give Rice a 10-point lead. Up by eight, back-to-back Hayes and Alexis layups extended the lead to 12 points. Following an Ennis and-one conversion, the Bulls embarked on a run to get within five, but a perfect showing from Flores down the stretch sealed the win for the Owls.

Quick Notes
Flores recorded her fourth 20-plus point performance.
Adams recorded her 10^th double-double of the season and 13^th of her career.
With the win, the Owls have clinched a top two seed in the American Conference Tournament.
Rice is now 4-4 all-time against South Florida.

UP NEXT
Rice heads on the road to East Carolina Saturday afternoon.