Lights-Out Fourth Quarter Lifts Rice Over Memphis

Saturday, February 7

Memphis, TN

1 p.m.

Rice University

20-3,10-0American

Memphis

8-14,2-7American

Rice

Memphis

Lights-Out Fourth Quarter Lifts Rice Over Memphis

2/7/2026 7:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Anthony Roberts (ar186@rice.edu)

MEMPHIS – The Rice women's basketball team came out firing in the final frame to put away Memphis 82-65 Saturday afternoon at Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Rice secures its 15^th consecutive win to move to 20-3 (10-0 American), while the Tigers fall to 8-14 (2-7 American).

Dominique Ennis led the Owls with 22 points, featuring six three-pointers, two rebounds, two assists and a block, while Shelby Hayes added 17 points, four rebounds and a block. Victoria Flores finished with 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals, while Hailey Adams recorded 12 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal. Aniah Alexis rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points, two rebounds and an assist.

As a team, Rice shot 24-of-53 (45.3%) from the floor and 9-of-19 (47.4%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 25-of-29 (86.2%) display from the free throw line.

Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"This game was a battle, which was exactly what we expected it to be. We challenged our group at halftime to play our brand of basketball on both sides of the floor in the second half. I thought they really stepped up and responded to our challenge in a major way. We got stops when we needed to and had another day with a very balanced offensive attack. I'm proud that we are coming out of the day 1-0!"

HOW IT HAPPENED,
First Quarter
Hayes and Flores got Rice's offense going early, with Memphis grabbing a two-point lead. Ennis put the Owls in front off of a three-pointer. Down by four, Ennis and Flores connected on consecutive shots to tie the game. Trailing in the closing seconds, Hayes drilled a three-pointer to give Rice a 19-18 lead at the end of one.

Second Quarter
The Tigers grabbed the lead before Hayes got Rice back on the board. With Memphis up three, Louann Battiston cut the deficit to one, with Alexis later giving Rice the lead with a triple. Hayes and Flores traded scores with the Tigers before another Ennis three put the Owls up three. Rice led 33-32 at the half.

Third Quarter
Alexis and Ennis sank back-to-back triples to open the third, as Rice grabbed a seven-point lead. Rice converted free throws to counter several Memphis baskets, with Alexis eventually keeping the lead at six. Rice led 56-50 at the end of three.

Fourth Quarter
Adams traded scores with Memphis, with an Ennis three following to give Rice a 63-52 lead. Adams followed with an and-one conversion, with Ennis tacking on another three to ballon the lead to 17 points. With the lead down to 13 points, Battiston, Hayes and yet another Ennis three carried the Owls to the win.

Quick Notes
Adams recorded her ninth double-double of the season.
Ennis recorded her fourth 20-point performance of the season.
This marks the second 20-win season in the Edmonds era.
Rice's 10 conference wins are the most since joining the American Conference.
Rice moves to 6-9 all-time against the Tigers.

UP NEXT
The Owls open a three-game homestand next Tuesday against North Texas.