by By Kenny Bybee, Rice communications
DENTON, Texas – The Rice Owls women’s basketball clinched the Conference USA West Division title with a gritty 64-58 road victory Thursday evening at North Texas.
Rice (16-2, 12-1) used a 7-2 run over the game’s final couple of minutes to clinch the No. 1 seed and a double bye into the quarterfinals at next week’s C-USA Championship tournament in Frisco.
The Owls placed three players in double-figure scoring, led by 12 points from sophomore wing Lauren Schwartz. Senior center Nancy Mulkey secured her third straight double-double and sixth of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds to go along with seven blocks. Sophomore guard Katelyn Crosthwait (Navajo) also added 10 points, which included a clutch three-pointer in the fourth quarter.
Rice, who is receiving votes in this week’s WBCA Coaches’ Poll, outshot the Mean Green (12-6, 9-4) from the field 47 percent to 32 percent while also winning points in the paint (34-22).
