Rice Basketball is nearly a month into conference play. The women are undefeated and the men have one just once. Both teams take on UTEP next.
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
Venue: Tudor Fieldhouse
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: ESPN+ (If you don’t have ESPN+ you can access a free trial or subscribe here.)
UTEP 11-8 (2-4), Last 5 (2-3)
- 59-56 (L) at FAU
- 76-64 (W) vs Southern Miss
- 64-61 (L) vs Louisiana Tech
- 80-77 OT (W) vs UTSA
- 86-70 (L) at UTSA
Rice 9-11 (1-6), Last 5 (1-4)
- 81-76 (L) vs FAU
- 92-78 (W) vs FIU
- 72-56 (L) at LA Tech
- 81-68 (L) at Southern Miss
- 79-59 (L) at North Texas
UTEP statistical leaders
- Scoring | Bryson Williams – 19.4 per game
- Rebounds | Bryson Williams – 6.9 per game
- Assists | Jordan Lathon – 2.5 per game
- Steals | Nigel Hawkins – 1.2 per game
- Blocks | Bryson Williams – 0.9 per game
Rice keys to victory
In many ways, UTEP lives and dies at the hand of Bryson Williams. He’s second in the conference in scoring, averaging just below 20 points per game. When his shots are falling, everything seems to work itself out. UTEP is 9-3 when he shoots better than 50 percent from the field and 2-5 when he’s off the mark at least half the time. Rice hasn’t defended well in recent weeks. Focusing in on one player should give them a boost.
Time: 8:00 p.m. CT
Venue: Don Haskins Center
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: CUSA TV
UTEP 11-4 (4-1), Last 5 (4-1)
- 64-34 (W) vs FIU
- 96-65 (W) vs FAU
- 89-72 (W) at Southern Miss
- 87-80 (L) at Louisiana Tech
- 94-54 (W) vs UTSA
Rice 11-6 (6-0), Last 5 (5-0)
- 73-65 (W) vs WKU
- 78-69 (W) at FAU
- 68-47 (W) at FIU
- 60-47 (W) vs Louisiana Tech
- 75-64 (W) vs Southern Miss
UTEP statistical leaders
- Scoring | Katrina Zec – 13.3 per game
- Rebounds | Ariona Gill – 8.2 per game
- Assists | Katia Gallegos – 5.0 per game
- Steals | Katia Gallegos – 1.6 per game
- Blocks | Ariona Gill – 0.5 per game
Rice keys to victory
This will be by far the toughest test for Rice women’s basketball in conference play this season. The biggest question mark prior to this game is the status of Erica Ogwumike, which remains up in the air. She’s missed the past two games with an injury. If she’s back, her presence on the defensive glass and facilitating the offense will be huge. If she’s not, another big game from Nancy Mulkey or Sydne Wiggins would make a big difference on the road.
