Rice Clinches Regular Season Title with Win at Temple

Wednesday, February 25

Philadelphia, PA

6 p.m.

Rice University

25-3,15-0American

Temple

12-15,6-9American

Rice

Temple

Rice Clinches Regular Season Title with Win at Temple

2/25/2026 9:48:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Anthony Roberts (ar186@rice.edu)

PHILADELPHIA – The Rice women's basketball team was crowned the American Conference regular season champion after a 77-66 win at Temple Wednesday night at The Liacouras Center. Rice earned its 20^th consecutive win to move to 25-3 (15-0 American), while Temple falls to 12-15 (6-9 American).

Dominique Ennis led the Owls with 21 points, on 8-of-13 shooting, with four rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Shelby Hayes added 19 points, two steals and a rebound. Aniah Alexis finished with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.

As a team, Rice shot 30-of-56 (53.6%) from the floor and 9-of-19 (42.1%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 9-of-13 (69.2%) display from the free throw line.

Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"I'm really proud. Proud of this group to go on the road and to battle against a really talented Temple team. Things didn't always go our way, but we found ways. Even when they cut the lead, we kept answering, kept responding and kept showing up. We got stops when we needed to and scores when we needed them. A balanced attack, led by seniors and captains and veterans for us that really know what we have to do in those moments. I'm very proud of Shelby and Dom for setting the tone, but really proud of this team's effort to get this win against a very talented Temple team."

HOW IT HAPPENED,
First Quarter
Temple grabbed the game's first basket before Hayes' layup and an Ennis three-pointer put Rice ahead. Leading by one, Hayes and Ennis connected for the next seven Rice points to counter several scores. Leading by one, Ennis and Hailey Adams hit consecutive scores to extend the lead to five. Rice led 23-17 at the end of one.

Second Quarter
The home Owls got the scoring started again, before the Hayes and Ennis combo struck again to push the lead to seven. Up by five, Kennedy Clifton's layup was followed by consecutive Jordin Blackmon and Clifton three-pointers, extending the lead to 13 points. A Temple run brought the deficit to five before Alexis snapped the run. Rice led 40-35 at the half.

Third Quarter
Hayes countered Temple scores to open the third, with an Alexis three eventually putting Rice up 10 points. With the lead down to five, Hayes and Louann Battiston kickstarted a run as Rice went back up by double digits. Rice led 61-47 at the end of three.

Fourth Quarter
Ennis kept the offense rolling in the fourth, with Battiston and Hayes tacking on layups to give Rice a 17-point lead. Following a Temple score, Ennis converted an and-one opportunity to put Rice up 70-53. Rice fended off a late rally to earn the victory.

Quick Notes
Ennis hit her 250^th career three-pointer.
Rice earned its fifth regular season title in program history, and first since 2020-21.
The Owls are now 4-2 all-time against Temple.

UP NEXT
Rice returns to Tudor Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon to take on Tulsa.