Houston Roundball Review Archive: December 2006 Owls win Hackerman with Defeat of Idaho State

Saturday, December 9, 2006

Balanced offense led the Rice Owls to an 88 to 69 victory over the Idaho State Bengals Saturday night at Autry Court.

With the win, Rice (7-3) won the 2006 Gene Hackerman Invitational.

Senior post Lauren Neaves was named the Most Valuable Player of the event. Neaves finished Saturday's game with 12 points; nine rebounds; and three blocked shots.

Senior Samantha Stovall scored 13 points; dished out five assists; pulled down five rebounds; and picked up five steals. (I voted for Stovall for MVP.)

Three other Owls scored in double figures: guard Kadie Riverin and center Valeriya Berezhynska each added 12 while wing Maudess Fulton pitched in with 11.

Rice freshman point guard Tara Watts played her best game of her young career with eight points; seven assists (o turnovers); and four rebounds.

The Owls led the Bengals 45 to 36 at halftime. Rice started the second half with a 12 to 4 run; and, the Bengals never recovered.

The Owls pushed the lead to as much as 23 (84 to 61) in the second half and cruised to the victory.

Idaho State's Natalie Doma led all scorers with 21 points and had a game-high 10 rebounds, and Grohs and Andrea Lightfoot added 14.

Doma and Boesel were named to the all-tournament team along with Domonique Thomas of Alcorn State and Kristin Peoples of Kent State.

Kent State won the consolation game 89-53 over Alcorn State.

After the game, Owls head coach Greg Williams said playing on consecutive nights "helps prepare us (Rice)" for tournament action later in the season.

Rice returns to action Thursday, December 21, versus La. Tech in Ruston, Louisiana.

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