Rice University Athletics
Saturday, March 14
Birmingham, Ala.
8:30 p.m.
Rice University
vs
No. 6 UTSA
Owls and Roadrunners Meet in American Championship Game
3/14/2026 10:18:00 AM | Women's Basketball
No. 1 Rice Owls (28-4, 17-1 American) vs. No. 6 UTSA Roadrunners (17-15, 9-9 American)
Game 33 • Saturday, March 14, 2026 • 8:30 p.m. CT
Birmingham, Alabama • Legacy Arena
Video Stream: Click Here
Radio Stream: Click Here
Statistics: Click Here
Social Media Updates: @RiceWBB
American Championship Game
Top-seeded Rice is set to face sixth-seeded UTSA in the American championship game Saturday night on ESPNU. The Owls eye a second American tournament title in three years.
Championship Send-off
Fans in Birmingham are encouraged to join the team's send-off at the Sheraton Birmingham on the 22nd Street entrance. The send-off will be at 6:35 p.m.
Watch Party
Fans in Houston are encouraged to join the Rice watch party at J-Bar-M Barbecue on 2201 Leeland Street. Come out and support the Owls!
Regular Season Champions
Rice was crowned the American Conference regular season champion following its win at Temple. The Owls earned their fifth regular season title in program history and first since the 2020-21 season.
Last Time Out
Rice is headed to the American Conference championship game for a third consecutive year after a 71-67 win over fifth-seeded North Texas Friday night in the American semifinal game at Legacy Arena. Victoria Flores led the Owls with 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Dominique Ennis added 19 points, three rebounds, three steals and an assist.
Awards Night
Rice was well-represented on the American Conference postseason awards, with Victoria Flores earning the biggest honor as the American Conference Player of the Year. Shelby Hayes was awarded the league's Most Improved Player, while Louann Battiston was named the Sixth Player of the Year. Hailey Adams received the conference's Ambassador Award, while Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds was the unanimous Coach of the Year. Flores and Dominique Ennis were both selected as First Team honorees, while Hayes received Third Team recognition. Battiston was named to the All-Newcomer Team, while Adams earned All-Defensive Team honors.
100 for Edmonds
Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds earned her 100th career win at Charlotte, tying for the fastest coach to reach the mark in program history. Edmonds reached 100 wins in 157 games.
Weekly Honors
Aniah Alexis earned one last American Honorable Mention, a sixth time on the list. Alexis led the Owls with 12.5 points and four rebounds per game on the week.
Ennis Etched in Record Books
Dominique Ennis became the program's all-time three-point leader during Rice's win over UNLV and currently has 262 career threes. Ennis snaps Nicole Iademarco's record of 198, who was on the team from 2016-19. Ennis's 86 three-pointers last season set the program's single-season record.
Dom Reaches 1,000
Dominique Ennis became the 27th player in program history to surpass 1,000 career points in Rice's overtime win against Illinois State. She is now the third player under Coach Edmonds to reach the milestone, with Ennis' 1,344 points ranking 10th in program history.
Perfect Night for Flores
Victoria Flores was a perfect 16-of-16 from the free throw line in Rice's 70-56 win on the road over Houston. Flores' 16 made free throws are the third most in a single game in school history (record - 18-18 by Holly Jones in 1985).
A New Streak
Aniah Alexis had the nation's longest perfect start at the free throw line this season, opening with a 43- of-43 shooting mark spanning over 20 games. Alexis had her first miss of the season against Temple (1/28). The mark is the best start to a season from the free throw line in program history.
Rice vs. UTSA
This is the 34th meeting between the two longtime foes, with Rice holding a slim 17-16 series lead. The Owls and Roadrunners split the two meetings this season.
Non-con Phenom
Rice's 10 wins during the non-conference slate are tied for the most wins during non-conference play in program history. This is the third time Rice has reached 10 non-conference wins, with the other two being during the 2017-18 and 1992-93 seasons.
Adams Named Servant Leader
Hailey Adams was one of 64 women's basketball athletes in the nation selected to be a Kay Yow Servant Leader Award winner, a prestigious award honoring student athletes who exemplify the values of leadership, selflessness, and service.
Game 33 • Saturday, March 14, 2026 • 8:30 p.m. CT
Birmingham, Alabama • Legacy Arena
Video Stream: Click Here
Radio Stream: Click Here
Statistics: Click Here
Social Media Updates: @RiceWBB
American Championship Game
Top-seeded Rice is set to face sixth-seeded UTSA in the American championship game Saturday night on ESPNU. The Owls eye a second American tournament title in three years.
Championship Send-off
Fans in Birmingham are encouraged to join the team's send-off at the Sheraton Birmingham on the 22nd Street entrance. The send-off will be at 6:35 p.m.
Watch Party
Fans in Houston are encouraged to join the Rice watch party at J-Bar-M Barbecue on 2201 Leeland Street. Come out and support the Owls!
Regular Season Champions
Rice was crowned the American Conference regular season champion following its win at Temple. The Owls earned their fifth regular season title in program history and first since the 2020-21 season.
Last Time Out
Rice is headed to the American Conference championship game for a third consecutive year after a 71-67 win over fifth-seeded North Texas Friday night in the American semifinal game at Legacy Arena. Victoria Flores led the Owls with 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Dominique Ennis added 19 points, three rebounds, three steals and an assist.
Awards Night
Rice was well-represented on the American Conference postseason awards, with Victoria Flores earning the biggest honor as the American Conference Player of the Year. Shelby Hayes was awarded the league's Most Improved Player, while Louann Battiston was named the Sixth Player of the Year. Hailey Adams received the conference's Ambassador Award, while Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds was the unanimous Coach of the Year. Flores and Dominique Ennis were both selected as First Team honorees, while Hayes received Third Team recognition. Battiston was named to the All-Newcomer Team, while Adams earned All-Defensive Team honors.
100 for Edmonds
Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds earned her 100th career win at Charlotte, tying for the fastest coach to reach the mark in program history. Edmonds reached 100 wins in 157 games.
Weekly Honors
Aniah Alexis earned one last American Honorable Mention, a sixth time on the list. Alexis led the Owls with 12.5 points and four rebounds per game on the week.
Ennis Etched in Record Books
Dominique Ennis became the program's all-time three-point leader during Rice's win over UNLV and currently has 262 career threes. Ennis snaps Nicole Iademarco's record of 198, who was on the team from 2016-19. Ennis's 86 three-pointers last season set the program's single-season record.
Dom Reaches 1,000
Dominique Ennis became the 27th player in program history to surpass 1,000 career points in Rice's overtime win against Illinois State. She is now the third player under Coach Edmonds to reach the milestone, with Ennis' 1,344 points ranking 10th in program history.
Perfect Night for Flores
Victoria Flores was a perfect 16-of-16 from the free throw line in Rice's 70-56 win on the road over Houston. Flores' 16 made free throws are the third most in a single game in school history (record - 18-18 by Holly Jones in 1985).
A New Streak
Aniah Alexis had the nation's longest perfect start at the free throw line this season, opening with a 43- of-43 shooting mark spanning over 20 games. Alexis had her first miss of the season against Temple (1/28). The mark is the best start to a season from the free throw line in program history.
Rice vs. UTSA
This is the 34th meeting between the two longtime foes, with Rice holding a slim 17-16 series lead. The Owls and Roadrunners split the two meetings this season.
Non-con Phenom
Rice's 10 wins during the non-conference slate are tied for the most wins during non-conference play in program history. This is the third time Rice has reached 10 non-conference wins, with the other two being during the 2017-18 and 1992-93 seasons.
Adams Named Servant Leader
Hailey Adams was one of 64 women's basketball athletes in the nation selected to be a Kay Yow Servant Leader Award winner, a prestigious award honoring student athletes who exemplify the values of leadership, selflessness, and service.
Players Mentioned
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