photo by Demetrius Tickles
by Don Mooney 3-12-2024
FORT WORTH – After trading leads early, the Rice women’s basketball team built a cushion in the second quarter and never looked back, defeating UAB 71-56 in the AAC Tournament Second Round at Dickies Arena. The win snaps a five-game skid for the Owls and moves them to 16-14 (9-9 AAC) on the season.
Malia Fisher picked up right where she left off during the regular season, leading the Owls with 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal. Destiny Jackson added 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while Sussy Ngulefac finished 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a block.
photo by Demetrius Tickles
As a team, Rice shot 31-of-70 (44.3%) from the floor and 4-of-16 (25%) from three-point range. Rice was 5-of-8 (62.5%) at the free throw line. Rice out-rebounded UAB 53-32, with 20 offensive rebounds leading to 15 second-chance points.
Denim DeShields led the Blazers with 20 points, while also having six assists. Mia Moore scored in double figures for the 26th time this season with 12 points and added five rebounds on the night. Jade Weathersby came away with her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Tenley Dowell tallied a season-high seven points and was 3-of-5 from the field.
The Owls were the first to score, but Kylee Schneringer answered back with a 3-point shot with 8:09 on the clock. Rice would take back the lead and hold it the rest of the quarter and headed into the second quarter only up by two at 18-16.
Weathersby opened up the second frame by drawing a foul and would cut the Owls lead to one. DeShields would give UAB the lead with field goal from the paint (19-18). Weathersby made a 3-pointer to extend the Blazers lead, but Hailey Adams would give the Owls the lead back at 26-24 with 4:45 left to play. Rice would head into halftime up by nine at 36-27.
“I was really proud of our team’s effort, focus and intensity. We had that want to win, that I’m going to put my foot down and do whatever it takes to get a win. We were tough, we were resilient, and we played the brand of basketball that we’re used to playing. It feels good to get back in the win column. It feels good to see how we were playing and celebrating for one another and I’m just really proud of our efforts.
photo by Demetrius Tickles
Ngulefac opened the scoring with a layup, with the Blazers quickly responding with a three-pointer. Ngulefac countered the score with another layup, with Emily Klaczek following with a three as the Owls grabbed a four-point lead. Leading 11-8, Jackson drilled a three-pointer, with Fisher later scoring a pair of baskets as the Owls led 18-16 at the end of the first
A 6-0 Blazer run opened the second, but Klaczek and Dominique Ennis snapped the run to even the score. Down by two, Jackson and Hailey Adams hit back-to-back scores, with Jackson continuing the run with a three, as Rice took a 29-24 lead. Up by four, Fisher and Adams connected again to extend the lead to eight points. Rice led 36-27 at halftime.
Following a UAB score, Ngulefac scored three straight Rice baskets as the two sides traded baskets early. Up by nine points, Fisher and Ennis hit consecutive baskets to extend the lead to double digits. After a Blazer score, Fisher kickstarted an 8-0 run, with Ennis and Ngulefac also contributing, as Rice took a 54-35 lead. Rice led 56-41 at the end of the third.
photo by Demetrius Tickles
UAB opened the final frame with a basket, but Maya Bokunewicz quickly responded with a three-pointer. Fisher and Jazzy Owens-Barnett countered the next couple of UAB scores, leading 63-46 with 6:33 remaining in the game. The Blazers were unable to cut the deficit down to single digits, as the Owls maintained their lead for the 71-56 win.