Rice University Athletics
Saturday, March 7
Houston, Texas
2 p.m.
Rice University
27-4,17-1American
52
vs
61
UTSA
14-15,9-9American
1
2
3
4
F
UTSA
19
22
10
10
61
Rice
15
6
12
19
52
Photo by: ©Juan DeLeon Creative
Owls Suffer First Conference Loss Against UTSA
3/7/2026 6:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON – The Rice women's basketball team dropped its first game since Thanksgiving 61-52 to UTSA Saturday afternoon in the regular season finale. The loss snaps Rice's 22-game win streak to fall to 27-4 (17-1 American), while UTSA moves to 14-15 (9-9 American).
The Owls honored their four seniors, Hailey Adams, Kennedy Clifton, Dominique Ennis and Shelby Hayes as part of the Senior Day presentation.
Aniah Alexis led the Owls with 15 points, two rebounds, an assist and steal, while Hayes added eight points, two rebounds, two assists and a block.
As a team, Rice shot 19-of-64 (29.7%) from the floor and 6-of-30 (20.0%) from three-point range. The Owls were 8-of-9 (88.9%) from the free throw line.
Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"Obviously disappointed in the outcome on Senior Day. You always want to send the seniors out the right way. We wanted to protect home one last time, and so I'm disappointed in the moment, and I feel that, and I know these players feel that. When we get through this moment, we're going to have the opportunity to reflect on all the amazing things that we have accomplished this season. And our season's not over, there's still a lot left that we want to accomplish."
For the full press conference, click here.
HOW IT HAPPENED,
First Quarter
A pair of UTSA scores opened the game before Hayes got Rice's offense started. Down by four, Clifton drilled a corner three to cut the deficit to a point. The two sides traded scores, with Myah Hazelton's layup closing the frame with Rice down 19-15 after one.
Second Quarter
Back-to-back Louann Battiston scores tied the game before UTSA embarked on a 14-0 run. Aniah Alexis snapped the run, with another Roadrunner run closing the half with Rice trailing 41-21 at halftime.
Third Quarter
Alexis answered Roadrunner points to open the third, with UTSA eventually grabbing a 25-point lead. Alexis snapped the run with a jumper, with consecutive Victoria Flores and Alexis three-pointers bringing Rice within 17 points. Rice trailed 51-33 after three.
Fourth Quarter
An Alexis three and Hayes jumper opened a quick 5-0 run in the fourth. UTSA responded by pushing the lead to 19 points before Hayes got Rice back on the board. Down 19 again, consecutive scores from Alexis and Ennis got Rice within 14. Another late fun by Rice fell short as UTSA went on to win.
Quick Notes
The Owls are 17-16 all-time against UTSA.
UP NEXT
The Owls head to the American Conference Tournament in Birmingham, Ala.
The Owls honored their four seniors, Hailey Adams, Kennedy Clifton, Dominique Ennis and Shelby Hayes as part of the Senior Day presentation.
Aniah Alexis led the Owls with 15 points, two rebounds, an assist and steal, while Hayes added eight points, two rebounds, two assists and a block.
As a team, Rice shot 19-of-64 (29.7%) from the floor and 6-of-30 (20.0%) from three-point range. The Owls were 8-of-9 (88.9%) from the free throw line.
Postgame Reaction – Shelley Pennington and Friends Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds
"Obviously disappointed in the outcome on Senior Day. You always want to send the seniors out the right way. We wanted to protect home one last time, and so I'm disappointed in the moment, and I feel that, and I know these players feel that. When we get through this moment, we're going to have the opportunity to reflect on all the amazing things that we have accomplished this season. And our season's not over, there's still a lot left that we want to accomplish."
For the full press conference, click here.
First Quarter
A pair of UTSA scores opened the game before Hayes got Rice's offense started. Down by four, Clifton drilled a corner three to cut the deficit to a point. The two sides traded scores, with Myah Hazelton's layup closing the frame with Rice down 19-15 after one.
Second Quarter
Back-to-back Louann Battiston scores tied the game before UTSA embarked on a 14-0 run. Aniah Alexis snapped the run, with another Roadrunner run closing the half with Rice trailing 41-21 at halftime.
Third Quarter
Alexis answered Roadrunner points to open the third, with UTSA eventually grabbing a 25-point lead. Alexis snapped the run with a jumper, with consecutive Victoria Flores and Alexis three-pointers bringing Rice within 17 points. Rice trailed 51-33 after three.
Fourth Quarter
An Alexis three and Hayes jumper opened a quick 5-0 run in the fourth. UTSA responded by pushing the lead to 19 points before Hayes got Rice back on the board. Down 19 again, consecutive scores from Alexis and Ennis got Rice within 14. Another late fun by Rice fell short as UTSA went on to win.
Quick Notes
The Owls are 17-16 all-time against UTSA.
The Owls head to the American Conference Tournament in Birmingham, Ala.
Team Stats
UTSA
Rice
FG%
.510
.297
3FG%
.556
.200
FT%
.545
.889
RB
48
24
TO
25
9
STL
3
8
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's Basketball
C
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