Rice University Athletics
Saturday, March 14
Birmingham, Ala.
8:30 p.m.
Rice University
28-5,17-1American
40
vs
54
No. 6 UTSA
18-15,9-9American
1st quarter1
2nd quarter2
3rd quarter3
4th quarter4
FinalF
UTSA
6
14
20
14
54
Rice
8
5
13
14
40
Owls Fall in American Championship Game
3/14/2026 11:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – The Rice women's basketball team fell in a hard-fought battle, 54-40, in the American Conference championship game. The Owls fall to 28-5 (17-1 American), while UTSA moves to 18-15 (9-9 American).
Hailey Adams led the Owls with 12 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and an assist, while Victoria Flores added eight points and a steal.
As a team, Rice shot 16-of-59 (27.1%) from the floor and 5-of-23 (21.7%) from three-point range. The Owls were 3-of-5 (60%) from the free throw line.
HOW IT HAPPENED,
First Quarter
UTSA opened the scoring before a Shelby Hayes free throw got Rice on the board. The Roadrunners pushed their lead to five before Aniah Alexis and Hayes brought the Owls within a point. Flores closed the quarter with a three as Rice led 8-6 after one.
Second Quarter
The Roadrunners grabbed a six-point lead before a Louann Battiston three got the Rice offense started again. Adams then traded scores with UTSA, but a Roadrunner run to close the half gave UTSA a 20-13 halftime lead.
Third Quarter
Adams and Flores traded several scores early before UTSA used another run to push the lead to 14 points. Hayes snapped the run, but the Roadrunners found an answer once again. Jordin Blackmon closed the quarter with the final four points, with Rice trailing 40-26 after three.
Fourth Quarter
UTSA found a pair of scores before Adams cut into the deficit. After trading baskets, Flores and a pair of Dominique Ennis three-pointers continued to cut into the lead, but UTSA ultimately went on to win.
UP NEXT
The Owls await their postseason determination tomorrow evening.
Hailey Adams led the Owls with 12 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and an assist, while Victoria Flores added eight points and a steal.
As a team, Rice shot 16-of-59 (27.1%) from the floor and 5-of-23 (21.7%) from three-point range. The Owls were 3-of-5 (60%) from the free throw line.
First Quarter
UTSA opened the scoring before a Shelby Hayes free throw got Rice on the board. The Roadrunners pushed their lead to five before Aniah Alexis and Hayes brought the Owls within a point. Flores closed the quarter with a three as Rice led 8-6 after one.
Second Quarter
The Roadrunners grabbed a six-point lead before a Louann Battiston three got the Rice offense started again. Adams then traded scores with UTSA, but a Roadrunner run to close the half gave UTSA a 20-13 halftime lead.
Third Quarter
Adams and Flores traded several scores early before UTSA used another run to push the lead to 14 points. Hayes snapped the run, but the Roadrunners found an answer once again. Jordin Blackmon closed the quarter with the final four points, with Rice trailing 40-26 after three.
Fourth Quarter
UTSA found a pair of scores before Adams cut into the deficit. After trading baskets, Flores and a pair of Dominique Ennis three-pointers continued to cut into the lead, but UTSA ultimately went on to win.
The Owls await their postseason determination tomorrow evening.
Team Stats
UTSA
Rice
FG%
.421
.271
3FG%
.111
.217
FT%
.714
.600
RB
42
37
TO
8
8
STL
6
4
Game Leaders
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballC
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