WBB wins conference tournament, clinches spot in March Madness
Rice women’s basketball is headed to March Madness for the first time since 2019 after winning the American Athletic Conference tournament in their first year in the conference.
As the tenth seed in the AAC tournament, the Owls played four games in four days. Rice defeated ninth seed ECU 61-41 in the AAC Championship on March 13 at Dickies Arena.
Rice’s most recent appearance in a conference tournament final was on March 13, 2021, exactly three years earlier, as a member of Conference USA.
The Owls took control early against ECU with an 18-3 first quarter. They were up by 17 at the half, 34-17. From there, they kept a double-digit lead for most of the second half. Four players were in double digits, with junior center Sussy Ngulefac leading with 15 points. Junior guard Emily Klaczek had 14 points, junior forward Malia Fisher had 13 and fifth-year guard Destiny Jackson finished with 10.
Earlier in the tournament, Rice beat the University of Alabama at Birmingham 71-56, the University of North Texas 61-59 and Temple University 60-57. Rice had lost to all three of those teams in their last meetings during the regular season. However, Rice went undefeated against ECU, beating them 80-67 in January and 75-57 in February.
ESPN will broadcast the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament bracket on March 17 at 7 p.m. Rice’s championship win guarantees them a spot on the bracket. The women’s tournament will begin on March 20.
More from The Rice Thresher
Rice accepts 13% of record-setting ED applications
Rice accepted 13.2% of Early Decision applicants in its first round of admissions for the class of 2029, said Yvonne Romero da Silva, vice president for enrollment. With 2,970 total applicants, this year saw yet another record-high; a 3% increase from last year’s previous high of 2,886. An additional 100 students gained admission through the Questbridge National College Match program, an uptick from last year’s 77.
Students reject divestment proposals
The student body voted to pass S.REF 01, which asks the Rice Management Company to disclose all of its holdings investments, but rejected the remaining divestment proposals. While every ballot measure gained a majority of votes in favor, the remaining three did not achieve the two-thirds majority required to pass.
Student organizations form coalition to support SA referenda
Four Student Association referenda open for the general student body vote today at noon. The referenda call for disclosure of Rice Management Company holdings and divestment from entities that profit off the Israel-Hamas war. The referenda also ask that Rice release a statement condemning genocide and materially support anti-colonial scholarship. Voting will close Dec. 11 at noon and the results will be published the next day. For the referenda to pass, a two-thirds majority with a 20% student body turnout is needed.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.