Box Score HOUSTON - The Texas A&M - Corpus Christi women's basketball team fell to Rice, 59-54, at Tudor
Fieldhouse Monday night.
The Islanders (0-3) trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half, before making it a three point game with just 1:03 remaining. Rice's Reem Moussa drained two free throws to make it a five point game and A&M -Corpus Christi would not get any closer.
The Islanders were led by senior Olivia Fouty who recorded her third straight double-double of the year with a 15 point, 12 rebound performance. Shay Weaver scored a game-high 18 points while assisting on three baskets. Sophomore Kassie Jones chipped in nine for the Islanders in 22 minutes of action.
"I didn't think we shot the ball very well and I think Rice's defense had a lot to do with that," said head coach Royce Chadwick. "I thought we did a better job of slowing them down on the break in the second half -- We had our opportunities, but we were just a few possessions away from finishing the game, but tonight, we just didn't get it finished."
After five straight points by Weaver to begin the game, the Owls went on a 14-0 run. During the run, the Islanders shot 1-11 from the field. After an Ashanti Plummer layup and a 3-pointer by Fouty, the Islanders began to claw their way back into the game. A layup by Fouty with 2:48 remaining in the half cut the Owl lead to just three points. Kassie Jones ended the first half with a running jumpshot to make it 30-25 headed into the locker room.
"I thought we got some good looks for some people, but we also took some shots that I thought could be better," noted Chadwick. "We have to play a little closer to the vest until we get over the hump, and we aren't playing good enough on the defensive end and we have a long way to go."
The Owls (2-2) dished out 16 assists on the night compared the A&M - Corpus Christi's six. The Islanders bench was outscored 21-11 in the game.
After shooting just 39.3 percent from the line in its loss to Houston Friday night, the Islanders shot 7-of-9 from the charity stripe against Rice.
The Islanders will make a trip to the West Coast this weekend when they participate in the Cal Poly Holiday Tournament. The team will face-off against Kent State Friday, followed with a meeting with the host school, Cal Poly Saturday.
For the latest team information, like the team on Facebook (Islanders Women's Basketball), and follow the Islanders on Twitter and Instagram (@IslandersWBB).
