.png&type=webp)
Rice University Athletics
Thursday, March 19
Houston, Texas
7 p.m.
Rice University
29-5,17-1American
66
vs
61
Louisiana Tech
26-7,17-1CUSA
1st quarter1
2nd quarter2
3rd quarter3
4th quarter4
FinalF
Louisiana Tech
13
11
20
17
61
Rice
11
24
15
16
66
Owls Defeat Louisiana Tech to Advance to WBIT Second Round
3/19/2026 10:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON – The Rice women's basketball team used clutch shooting down the stretch to defeat Louisiana Tech 66-61 in the opening round of the WBIT Thursday night at Tudor Fieldhouse. The Owls secured a program record 29th win to move to 29-5 (17-1 American), while the Lady Techsters fell to 26-7 (17-1 CUSA).
Louann Battiston led the way with 21 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals, while Shelby Hayes added 16 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
As a team, Rice shot 23-of-58 (39.7%) from the floor and 8-of-25 (32%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 12-of-14 (85.7%) display from the free throw line.
Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"Survive and advance. That is what March is about. I'm proud of this group. We obviously had an incredible second quarter that gave us a big lead. I wish we would have kept the foot on the gas just a little bit more. We allowed them to get back into the game and actually take the lead in the fourth. But, we responded, we were resilient, we had toughness, we had togetherness to get the scores and stops when we needed to be able to close out that game. That's a very, very talented basketball team, they've won a ton of games this year. Hats off to them for the game that they played. I'm very thankful to be able to get the win."
For the full press conference, click here.
HOW IT HAPPENED,
First Quarter
Hayes opened the game's scoring, as the two sides traded multiple scores early. Down a pair, Jordin Blackmon hit a three-pointer to put Rice ahead. The Owls trailed 13-11 at the end of one.
Second Quarter
Blackmon's jumper tied the game before a Battiston triple put the Owls back in front. Leading by a point, Aniah Alexis and Battiston converted back-to-back shots and later hit back-to-back three-pointers, as the Owls took an 11-point lead. With the lead down to eight, Dominique Ennis, Battiston and Hayes extended the lead up to 14 points. Rice led 35-24 at the half.
Third Quarter
Louisiana Tech got within seven before Hayes and Ennis go the offense started again. Leading by 11 points, Myah Hazelton and a Battiston triple extended the lead to 16 points. A Lady Techsters run closed the third, with the Owls leading 50-44 after three.
Fourth Quarter
A pair of Lady Techster free throws opened the fourth, before Hayes put the Owls back on the board. A quick run gave Louisiana Tech a 54-53 lead with under five minutes to go. Ennis snapped the run with a triple before the Lady Techsters tied the game back up at 56-56. Battiston drilled a three, with a Hayes layup following, as Rice took a five-point lead with 1:24 to go. Louisiana Tech countered with its own 5-0 run to even the score with 41 seconds to go. Battiston found the answer again with a dagger three with 21 seconds remaining to propel Rice to victory.
QUICK HITS
Battiston's 21 points are a career high.
Adams' nine assists are a career high.
Rice's 29 wins are a single-season program record.
The Owls are now 17-17 all-time against Louisiana Tech.
UP NEXT
The Owls will take on Kansas Sunday evening at Allen Fieldhouse in the second round of the WBIT.
Louann Battiston led the way with 21 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals, while Shelby Hayes added 16 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
As a team, Rice shot 23-of-58 (39.7%) from the floor and 8-of-25 (32%) from three-point range. The Owls added a 12-of-14 (85.7%) display from the free throw line.
Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"Survive and advance. That is what March is about. I'm proud of this group. We obviously had an incredible second quarter that gave us a big lead. I wish we would have kept the foot on the gas just a little bit more. We allowed them to get back into the game and actually take the lead in the fourth. But, we responded, we were resilient, we had toughness, we had togetherness to get the scores and stops when we needed to be able to close out that game. That's a very, very talented basketball team, they've won a ton of games this year. Hats off to them for the game that they played. I'm very thankful to be able to get the win."
For the full press conference, click here.
First Quarter
Hayes opened the game's scoring, as the two sides traded multiple scores early. Down a pair, Jordin Blackmon hit a three-pointer to put Rice ahead. The Owls trailed 13-11 at the end of one.
Second Quarter
Blackmon's jumper tied the game before a Battiston triple put the Owls back in front. Leading by a point, Aniah Alexis and Battiston converted back-to-back shots and later hit back-to-back three-pointers, as the Owls took an 11-point lead. With the lead down to eight, Dominique Ennis, Battiston and Hayes extended the lead up to 14 points. Rice led 35-24 at the half.
Third Quarter
Louisiana Tech got within seven before Hayes and Ennis go the offense started again. Leading by 11 points, Myah Hazelton and a Battiston triple extended the lead to 16 points. A Lady Techsters run closed the third, with the Owls leading 50-44 after three.
Fourth Quarter
A pair of Lady Techster free throws opened the fourth, before Hayes put the Owls back on the board. A quick run gave Louisiana Tech a 54-53 lead with under five minutes to go. Ennis snapped the run with a triple before the Lady Techsters tied the game back up at 56-56. Battiston drilled a three, with a Hayes layup following, as Rice took a five-point lead with 1:24 to go. Louisiana Tech countered with its own 5-0 run to even the score with 41 seconds to go. Battiston found the answer again with a dagger three with 21 seconds remaining to propel Rice to victory.
Battiston's 21 points are a career high.
Adams' nine assists are a career high.
Rice's 29 wins are a single-season program record.
The Owls are now 17-17 all-time against Louisiana Tech.
The Owls will take on Kansas Sunday evening at Allen Fieldhouse in the second round of the WBIT.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
Team Stats
LATech
Rice
FG%
.415
.397
3FG%
.278
.320
FT%
.857
.857
RB
31
38
TO
14
13
STL
6
7
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's BasketballWBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09