by By Kenny Bybee, Rice communications
FORT WORTH, Texas – The Rice Owls women’s basketball team led wire to wire in a convincing 79-55 victory over previously undefeated California Baptist to win the WNIT Fort Worth Regional and advance to the semifinals next weekend in Memphis.
Rice (21-4), who’s advancement to the WNIT semifinals is the furthest any Owls team has ever gone in the tournament, placed four players in double-figures led by a game-high 20 points from sophomore wing Lauren Schwartz. The Union, Ky. native, who was named to the Fort Worth All-Tournament Team, was nearly perfect on the offensive end, making 9-of-11 shots from the field to go along with six rebounds (4 offensive) and five assists. Schwartz averaged 18.7 points over three games on a sizzling 67.6 percent shooting from the floor.
Complimenting Schwartz was senior center Nancy Mulkey, who took home tournament MVP honors with 16 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks. For the tournament the Cypress, Texas native averaged 20 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.0 blocks. Also scoring in double-figures for the Owls was sophomore guard Katelyn Crosthwait (Navajo) added 11 points)and junior guard Jasmine Smith (10 points).
As a team the Owls shot 48 percent from the field while holding the Lancers (26-1) to a season-low 32 percent shooting. The Owls dominated the boards, 45-33, and outscored CBU by 16 points (19-3) in points off turnovers.
The Owls will next face Delaware in the WNIT semifinals on Friday, Mar. 26 at 4 p.m. CT from My Town Movers Fieldhouse in Collierville, Tennessee.
