Rice Women鈥檚 Basketball secured a hard-fought victory over Louisiana Tech in the first round of the WBI Tournament, driven by Louann Battiston's career-high performance. After trailing in the fourth quarter for the first time since the opening quarter, Battiston's clutch three-pointer and free throws sealed the 66-61 win, marking the program's record 29th victory in a season. Despite the absence of Conference Player of the Year Victoria Flores due to injury, Rice showcased resilience and depth as they adapted and rallied to overcome a late-game comeback from Louisiana Tech.

By the Numbers
  • Rice scored 24 points to Louisiana Tech's 11 in the second quarter.
  • Louann Battiston finished the game with 21 points, including 10 in the first half.
State of Play
  • Rice's defense intensified with key turnovers in the final moments of the game.
  • The team adjusted quickly to Flores's absence, demonstrating strong teamwork and tactical execution.
What's Next

Rice will face Kansas in the WBI second round on Sunday, March 22, aiming to continue their postseason momentum without Flores.

Bottom Line

This victory highlights Rice's depth and resilience in the face of adversity. With both strong individual and team performances, they proved capable of overcoming challenges and remaining competitive in the postseason.