Owls Earn Pair of Milestones in Win at Charlotte

Tuesday, March 3

Charlotte, NC

5:30 p.m.

Rice University

27-3,17-0American

Charlotte

13-17,7-10American

Rice

Charlotte

Owls Earn Pair of Milestones in Win at Charlotte

3/3/2026 9:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Anthony Roberts (ar186@rice.edu)

CHARLOTTE – The Rice women's basketball team fended off a late Charlotte rally for a program record 22^nd consecutive win after a 63-56 win Tuesday night at Halton Arena. Lindsay Edmonds earned her 100^th career win as the Owls move to 27-3 (17-0 American), while Charlotte falls to 13-17 (7-10 American).

Dominique Ennis led the way with 23 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Shelby Hayes added 11 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and a block. Aniah Alexis rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points, six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.

As a team, Rice shot 24-of-61 (39.3%) from the floor and 3-of-11 (27.3%) 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
"I'm really proud of this group. To do what we have done all season long is really, really hard. You're getting everyone's best shot. Charlotte played an incredible game; they're incredibly talented. I felt like, at times, we didn't play the best versions of ourselves, but we found a way when we were faced with adversity to close out the game on a 6-0 run and get the win. We got the scores when we needed them and got the stops when we needed them. I'm just proud of them for finding a way and not backing down from that moment."

HOW IT HAPPENED,
First Quarter
Hayes got the offense started with a layup, with Ennis sinking a triple for an early 5-0 lead. Hayes and Ennis countered Charlotte's scores as the Owls maintained their lead. Up by a point, Hailey Adams and Ennis pushed the lead back to five points. Rice led 18-14 at the end of one.

Second Quarter
Myah Hazelton answered an early score by the 49ers, with Charlotte eventually tying the game. Alexis broke the tie with a triple, with the 49ers grabbing the lead soon after. An Ennis three regained the lead, with Adams and another Ennis score closing the frame, with Rice leading 30-24 at halftime.

Third Quarter
Victoria Flores and Alexis extended the lead to double digits to open the third before the 49ers got back on the board. The two sides traded scores down the stretch, with Rice still holding a double-digit lead. Up 10, Hayes' and-one conversion extended the lead again. Rice led 51-40 after three.

Fourth Quarter
A Charlotte run opened the fourth to get the 49ers within five. Kennedy Clifton found an answer to get Rice back on the board, with an Ennis score pushing the lead to nine. After Hayes traded a score with Charlotte, the 49ers went on another run to pull within a point. Alexis gave Rice a cushion, as the defense and free throw shooting carried Rice to victory.

Quick Notes
Hayes recorded her fourth double-double of the season.
Ennis is now 10^th all-time in program history in scoring.
Edmonds is tied for the fastest coach to reach 100 wins in program history.
Rice is now 11-7 all-time against Charlotte.

UP NEXT
Rice returns home for the regular season finale and Senior Day Saturday against UTSA.