Rice Owls Secure Strong Victory Against Vermont in Cancun Challenge
The Rice Owls bounced back from a tough loss to BYU, defeating Vermont 79-57 in the Cancun Challenge, improving their season record to 5-3. Vermont, who had previously defeated Idaho State, fell to 4-5 with this loss.
Vermont managed to get off to a strong start, ending the first quarter with a 21-16 lead, thanks to key contributions from Keira Hanson and Bella Vito. However, the Owls responded decisively in the second quarter, overcoming a 25-18 deficit to gain the momentum. An impressive 9-0 run gave them a slight edge, and they took a 33-27 lead into halftime.
The third quarter saw Rice take control of the game, as they embarked on a staggering 16-0 run, pushing their lead to 63-43. Rice’s defensive prowess was highlighted by 10 steals, and they effectively contained Vermont’s offensive threats. The Owls showcased a well-rounded scoring effort with nine players contributing points, led by Dominique Ennis, Emily Klaczek, and Victoria Flores, who scored 14, 17, and 18 points, respectively.
Despite a strong performance from Vermont’s Anna Olson, Keira Hanson, and Catherine Gilwee, who combined for 39 points, it was clear that Vermont struggled to maintain their early momentum as Rice revitalized their game, ultimately pulling away for a dominant victory.
As the Owls head home, they look to build on this positive momentum in the upcoming games. Fans can catch more college basketball action by tuning into FloHoops, where a variety of games will be streamed throughout the season.
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Photo credit www.flohoops.com
