Women's basketball starts C-USA 1-1
The Rice University women's basketball team opened up its Conference USA season with a road victory 59-41 against Florida International University on Jan. 8, bringing the Owls to a three-game winning streak. However, the Owls lost their next game to Florida Atlantic University 97-69, breaking the streak.
Senior forward Jessica Kuster led Rice against the FIU Panthers with her 12th double-double of the season. Kuster put up 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while the Rice defense held the Panthers to just 21 percent shooting from the field. The Owls improved to 8-1 this season and have held their opponents to a field goal percentage of 39 percent or less.
The Owls stayed in Florida after their Wednesday game to prepare for their Saturday matchup against the FAU Owls. In the battle of the Owls, Rice came up short, losing 97-69 to FAU and falling to an overall record of 8-7 with a C-USA record of 1-1.
Despite the loss, Kuster led Rice with 21 points and nine rebounds. Junior guard Nakachi Maduka had a career-high 19 points on a 7-for-10 shooting night. Coming off of a knee injury that sidelined her for the first half of the season, freshman guard Maya Hawkins started for the first time in her college career. She scored 16 points and completed four assists in 37 minutes of play.
Hawkins said her team provided a huge lift both on and off the court.
"[Having my] teammates encourage me throughout my rehab, along with my coaches, really meant the world to me," Hawkins said. "When I found out that I was going to be starting, I was excited and nervous at the same time, but [I] felt that I was prepared for the task at hand, and I wanted to make the most of it."
Hawkins said the team has played well on the road lately and is clicking at the perfect time.
"Playing on the road is always tough, but I feel that we did extremely well while we were away from our home gym," Hawkins said. "This team has always had a strong bond off the court with one another, [and] I feel that over the course of this season, we have brought that connection onto the court. We are playing together as a team right now ... and it is amazing to watch."
Following the loss, the Owls will head back to Tudor Fieldhouse to host Louisiana Tech University in Rice's conference home opener. Rice is 4-2 at home this season and is looking to defeat the Bulldogs, a team that is 5-10 this season and winless in conference play.
Hawkins said she expects Louisiana Tech to be a formidable opponent even though its record may suggest otherwise.
"We haven't fully scouted them yet, but I expect them to be an exceptional team," Hawkins said. "There are no weak teams in our conference this year, so we have to be prepared at all times to face challenging opponents."
After the game against Louisiana Tech Wednesday, Jan. 15, Rice will stay at Tudor Fieldhouse to face Marshall University Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. Last year, Rice defeated Marshall 71-61 in a game during which Kuster contributed 16 points. Marshall is currently 7-8 this season and 0-2 in conference play.
More from The Rice Thresher
Jones wins men’s and women’s Beer Bike races, GSA snags alumni
Jones College won both the women’s and men’s Beer Bike 2024 races, while the Graduate Student Association claimed the alumni team win. Hanszen College bike teams were the runner-up in the alumni and men’s races, while Brown College was the runner-up in the women’s race. Martel and McMurtry Colleges did not bike in the alumni race, according to the Rice Program Council’s final report, and the GSA was disqualified from the men’s race for accidentally sending out two bikers simultaneously.
Super Smash Bros. ultimate tournament sees smashing success
The Super Smash Bros. Club held their second annual ultimate tournament Friday, April 12. Club president Jashun Paluru said all Smash players were welcome, regardless of ability, experience or involvement in the club. The event was held in collaboration with Owls After Dark, a late-night activity series headed by the Rice Student Center, at the Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall.
‘Off the beaten track’: Commencement speakers through the years
A former American president, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel laureates and the founder of Khan Academy. All may share similar traits or levels of fame, but there’s another, quieter, common ground: They’ve all spoken at Rice’s commencement.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.