Rice erases halftime deficit to defeat Sam Houston 68-57 and improves to 9-0

POSTED: December 16, 2022 -- 4:18 p.m. CST

HOUSTON, TX (Tudor Fieldhouse) -- The Rice Owls erased a 15-10 first quarter deficit and a 26-25 halftime deficit to defeated Sam Houston State 68-57 to improve to 9-0 this season.

"Nine and 0 for conference play," Lindsay Edmonds, Rice Head Coach said after the game. "Really proud of this group."

Rice trailed by 8 points three times in the opening quarter; but, India Bellamy provided a spark off the bench with 3 points and 2 rebounds in the final moments to trim Rice's deficit to 5 (15-10) at the end of the first period.

Rice senior guard Destiny Jackson scored 8 consecutive points to start the second quarter to put Rice ahead 18-17. However, Sam Houston responded with 4 straight points to regain the lead 21-18.

After Rice sophomore Trinity Gooden made 2 free throws to bring Rice within 1, Owls senior guard Katelyn Crosthwait hit a three-point shot to put Rice on top 23-21. Sam Houston answered with a three-point basket and outscored Rice 5-2 in the final 1:41 to lead 26-25 at the half.

In the first half, Rice shot 6 for 13 from the floor -- 2 for 7 on threes while Sam Houston connected on 9 for 26 field goal attempts -- 4 for 6 three-pointers.

Sam Houston outscored Rice 12-6 pts off turnovers. Rice had the edge in the paint 14-6.

"I thought first half we didn't play our type of basketball; but, they were challenged at halftime," Coach Edmonds remarked. "And, they found a way to come out and play how we play in the third and in the fourth quarter."

Rice outscored Sam Houston 19-12 in the third quarter. The Owls connected on 4 of 7 three-point attempts in the quarter.

Katelyn Crosthwait scored 8 of her 14 points in the third. Crosthwait made 2 of Rice's 4 three-point baskets in the period. Rice closed the quarter making 4 consecutive three-point shots.

The fourth quarter belonged to Rice sophomore Malia Fisher. Fisher scored 11 of her 13 points in the final period. She also assisted on teammate Ashlee Austin's three-point basket.

Fisher finished the game with 13 points, a team-high 6 rebounds plus a team-high tying 4 assists.

"I think what was different for me was my mindset in the first half," Fisher said after the game. "I came into the second half I had Nick (Asst. Coach Nick Grant) talk to me. My teammates talked to me. 'We need you. We need you.'

"I finally turned it on and said I'm going to get every rebound. I'm gonna do what I can. I'm gonna just sprint everywhere and see what I can do with that. And, it worked."

Fisher and Crosthwait both shared thoughts on Rice's 9 and 0 start to this season.

"It feels great. It really does feel amazing," said Fisher. "I don't think -- if you would have said last year to me that we were gonna start this season 9 and 0, I don't think I would have believed it."

Crosthwait added, "It feels great. It feels great to play more than 3 games.

"You know last year was a struggle for a variety of reasons: new coaching staff; limited players; all these things. I think we have taken the bull by its horns and taken advantage of every opportunity that we're given right now.

"It's just amazing. You come into college to cut down nets; and, I think this team is fully capable of doing that."

Destiny Jackson scored 16 points to lead Rice in the win.

Kaylee Jefferson scored 19 points to lead Sam Houston.

NEXT:

In the C-USA opener for both teams this season, Rice hosts Middle Tennessee on Tuesday, December 20, at noon.

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