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Malia Fisher returns, Rice Women’s Basketball tops Utah Tech

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Rice Women’s Basketball has won four in a row at home, defeating Utah Tech in the Owls first game back from Cancun.

Utah Tech hit their first shot of the night, a three-pointer to open the game. It was all Rice women’s basketball the rest of the way. The Owls took the lead for good with 5:11 remaining in the first quarter on a layup from Sussy Ngulefac and never looked back.

Rice led by eight after the first quarter and grew its advantage to 14 by halftime. Utah Tech pushed back in the third, cutting the deficit to eight, but two well-timed baskets from Malia Fisher got the Owls’ advantage back to double-digits.

More: Rice Women’s Basketball 2024-2025 Season Preview

In the fourth quarter, Utah Tech rallied once more, getting within six. Who else, but Fisher arrived with a three to claw back some breathing room down the stretch? As has been the case with this team all season, a large never truly felt completely safe, but with Fisher back on the court, Rice was able to weather the comeback much more saliently, hanging on to win at home.

Final Box | Rice 82, Utah Tech 71

What They’re Saying

I’m really glad to be back at home and be back in front of our fans and get a win. Wins are hard to come by, and I’m grateful to get a win. I think our group has so much potential, and I think we can be really, really great. I think we showed that in spurts tonight, and we are going to continue to challenge them to show a full 40 minutes and see how special we can truly be. We’re still growing as a team and trying to figure that piece out. I thought there were a lot of really good performances, in particular by [Malia and Hailey] and also by Sussy. There are definitely some good highlights and some really good stats out there; I just would have liked to have seen us just finish out the game a little bit better. – Rice Women’s Basketball head coach Lindsay Edmonds

Key takeaway | Malia’s back!

By far the most significant development of this game wasn’t the score, but rather the return of Malia Fisher to the court. Fisher had yet to appear in a game for the Owls so far this season after suffering a wrist injury in the offseason. The hope was always to have her back by conference play.

Fisher did not start, but saw 19 minutes of court time on Wednesday, leading all scorers with 17 points and collecting six rebounds. The cameo certainly points towards a closer-to-100-percent version of the Owls’ preseason all-conference player by the time AAC play arrives on December 29. That might just be the best Christmas gift this program could have asked for.

Up Next: at Louisiana (Sat, 12/7)

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New relationships define Scott Abell’s first Rice Football Early Signing Period

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Just a week on the job, Rice football head coach Scott Abell proudly introduced a dozen members of the Owls’ newest signing class on Wednesday.

When he wasn’t jetting back and forth across the country, new Rice football head coach Scott Abell was talking. He was talking to members of the 2025 Rice football recruiting class, a dozen of whom signed with the Owls on Wednesday. He was talking with members of the Rice staff, leaning on them to build relationships with players he had only just met.

Abell was talking to the players, themselves. He carved out some time with every single member of the current roster, getting face time with everyone he could.

And despite the whirlwind, a smile never left Abell’s face. “Relationships continue to be built every day,” he said.

So far, Abell’s been able to fall back on strong, existing bonds. As of Wednesday evening, the Owls had signed 12, kept commitments from two and only lost four scholarship players from its incoming signing class. For most programs, that’s a pretty solid return for Day 1 of the Early Signing Period. For a program in the midst of a coaching change with three confirmed returning coaches? That’s almost unbelievable.

Abell announced on Tuesday he was retaining defensive coordinator Brian Smith. On Wednesday, he added linebackers coach Jon Kay to that list. Right now, it’s Abell, Smith and Kay along with an unwavering recruiting staff willing this class to signing day.

More: Rice Football Early Signing Period Live Blog

“My part in this was simply looking at the committed roster, how they fit us and then making sure they understood how much we want them here,” Abell said. “There’s so much value when there’s athletes that want to be a certain place and see value in your institution and your program. And these young men did that. And I am so grateful for that. And I said from the start we were going to honor the young men that were committed to be Rice Owls.”

Perhaps it’s that commitment to a program, not a person, that sets this bunch apart. But whatever it is, the Owls aren’t content with one minor miracle. They’re on the hunt for more.

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“We’re still not where we need to be or want to be,” Abell said of the program right now. “But we’re catching up, which is important. Still on the docket: a quarterback, the right transfers and completing his staff. Abell joked things might finally slow down by Christmas Eve.

Abell can’t worry about that right now, though. He’s taking things one day, and one conversation, at a time. For him, it has always been all about the people.

“It’s one of the best days on the calendar for college football,” he said. “The opportunity to bring new people into your family, for your family to grow and expand.”

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Rice Football Recruiting: 2025 Early Signing Period Live Blog

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The first of the 2025 Rice Football Recruiting class will become signees during the Early Signing Period. Follow all the action here.

In one of his first official acts as head coach, Scott Abell will welcome the first members of the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class on Wednesday when the Early Signing Period opens. The first flock of new Owls will come primarily from the high school ranks, with supplemental talent from the portal trickling in where the fit makes sense.

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This live tracker will follow all the latest news and updates throughout the day, with some notes along the way on the class as it is finalized. If you’re not a subscriber yet, here’s your chance.

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Which newcomers will make sizable impacts as soon as they arrive on campus like Blaise Tita, Chad Lindberg, Charlie Looes, Michael Daley and others did this past fall? This class has plenty of talent that could find its way to the field soon.

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A Quick Look at the 2025 Rice Football Recruiting Class before the Early Signing Period

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The Early Signing Period begins Wednesday, December 4. Here’s where the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class stands entering the week.

In the midst of hiring a new coach and wrapping up a season, Rice football recruiting continues to press on. Some attrition was to be expected, but the Owls are still likely to put together a rather strong high school signing class despite all the changes currently happening at South Main. Here’s the latest:

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Rice Football 2024: NFL Owls Week 13 Roundup

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Rice Football is well represented on 2024 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 13.

There are former Rice football players scattered across the NFL. Stay tuned each week for their game results and notables from each player.

TeamNFL Owl(s)This WeekResultNext Week
Detroit LionsJack Fox (P)
Myles Adams (DL)		vs Bears (Thr)W, 23-20vs Packers (Thr)
Indianapolis ColtsKylen Granson (TE)at PatriotsW, 25-25— BYE —
Pittsburgh SteelersChris Boswell (PK)
Calvin Anderson (OL)		at BengalsW, 44-38vs Browns
Washington CommandersLuke McCaffrey (WR)vs TitansW, 42-19— BYE —

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OL, Steelers

Anderson was active but did not see action in the Steelers’ win over the Bengals this week.

Luke McCaffrey – WR, Commanders

McCaffrey caught two passes for 17 yards on two targets against the Titans this week.

Kylen Granson – TE, Colts

Granson was targeted three times on Sunday but did not catch any of those balls thrown his way.

Defense

Myles Adams – DL, Lions

Adams was waived from the Seahawks’ active roster on Thursday, eventually opening the door for the Lions to sign him off their practice squad and to their active roster on Saturday. Adams will have his first real week with Detroit this week where he’ll reunite with former Rice teammate Jack Fox.

Special Teams

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox was only asked to punt twice on Thanksgiving Day, putting both of his balls inside the 20 including a long punt of 61 yards.

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell went 3-for-4 on field goals against the Bengals on Sunday and connected on all five extra-point attempts, scoring 14 points himself in a high-scoring win. He’s made 34-of-37 field goals this season

More Owls in the NFL

From practice squads to current free agents, there are other Owls on the cusp of returning to active rosters. Find more details on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.

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