Friday's Sports Update:Women's basketball downs Tulsa
Houston -- Maudess Fulton scored a team-high 16 points, including a key basket late in the contest, as Rice defeated Tulsa 62-56 in a Conference USA game at Tudor Fieldhouse.Tulsa (6-19, 2-11) was led by Larrisa Williams, who tied her career-high with 27 points. Williams made 9 of 23 field goals and 9 of 12 free throws.
With the Owls (7-19, 2-11) ahead by two (56 to 54), Fulton hit a jumper to stave off the Golden Hurricane come back. D'Frantz Smart also had a driving layup at 3:04 to give Rice a 60-56 lead. The Owls then received a made free throw by Megan Elliott and one by Smart to close out the game.
The Owls controlled the first-half with strong shooting from the field. Rice made 6 of its first 12 shots, while Tulsa struggled in making only 3 of its first 15 as the Owls took a 14-10 that it would not relinquish.
After a Fulton jumper and back-to-back buckets by Melissa Wittmayer, the Owls reached their biggest lead of the game at 46-31 with 14:48 to play.
Tulsa got back into the contest by going to the Williams well time after time. Williams converted on three separate three-point plays to bring TU to within 5 (56 to 51). A three-ball by Chanice Scott cut the Owl lead to two at 56-54 (5:19) before Fulton's jumper extended the Rice lead.
Rice's D'Frantz Smart made like Freddy Krueger and slashed through the Tulsa defense for a career-high 12 assists. Smart also scored 7 points in playing the full 40 minutes. The Owls received balance scoring from Tara Watts (9), Morgan Mayse (8), and Megan Elliott and Melissa Wittmayer each scored 7 points. Mayse also had a team-high 9 rebounds.
Besides Williams' 27 points and 10 rebounds, TU only had one other Hurricane in double-digits, as Chanice Scott tallied 10 points.
Rice now plays SMU on Sunday at 2 p.m. This game will be broadcasted on CBS College and it is the final home game of the season as well as the final home game for seniors Emery Carter and Maudess Fulton.
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