Feb. 26, 2013

Rice Owls (12-14, 4-9 C-USA) at UTEP Miners (19-7, 7-6 C-USA)

Game 27 • Thursday, Feburary 28, 2013 • 8 p.m. CT/7 p.m. MT

El Paso, Texas • Don Haskins Center (12,000)
Audio: RiceOwls.com • TV: CBS Sports Network

Series Record: Rice leads 23-14

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The Last Meeting

UTEP	49
Rice	48

January 24, 2013
Tudor Fieldhouse

Women's Basketball's Comeback Foiled In Final Seconds By UTEP HOUSTON- Rice came all the way back from a 14-point deficit, but missed a game-winner at the buzzer to fall 49-48 to defending C-USA Champion UTEP on Thursday night. Jessica Kuster scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds for the Owls.

Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery

 

Owls Take Winning Streak To El Paso

CBS Sports Network televises Rice's clash with UTEP, as the Owls enter after winning back-to-back games with strong second halves. The Owls came back from 15 points down with 7:35 remaining to beat Marshall in overtime in their last game. The Owls spoiled UTEP's attempt for a perfect C-USA season on senior day in El Paso last year, and are looking for a repeat in the Haskins Center. Admission to this game is free as a part of UTEP's celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

Briefly On The Owls

• Rice came back from down 15 points with 7:35 remaining to defeat Marshall on Feb. 24. The Owls went on a 29-4 run to close the game

• Rice has come back from nine or more points down to win four times this season

• The Owls have shot 62.7 percent in the second half over their past two games

• Jessica Kuster is the only player in C-USA and one of 36 players nationally to be averaging a double double

• Kuster is one of eight players nationally to have averaged a double double in 2010-11, 2011-12 and to currently be averaging a double double in 2012-13. Kuster and Middle Tennessee's Ebony Rowe are the only two juniors on that list

• Kuster has made ten straight free throws, dating back to Feb. 17

• The Owls' typical starting unit of Goswitz, Maduka, Kuster, Porter and Palmer outscores their opponents by an average of 2.9 points per 40 minutes

Rice vs. UTEP

Rice spoiled UTEP's perfect C-USA season on Senior Day last season, winning 52-48, and giving UTEP their only loss in conference play last year. The Owls and Miners have split the season series in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

The Marshall Matters (Extended Play)

The Owls came back from 15 down with 7:35 to go, using a 17-0 run to take the lead in regulation, to win 71-61 in overtime against Marshall on Feb. 24. The Owls closed the last 12:35 of regulation and overtime on a 29-4 run to go from down 15 to up 10 at the end of the game. The Owls shot 55.2% in the second half, and received 26 points from the bench in the game. During the 29-4 run, Rice forced eight turnovers, while committing none.

Second Half Prominence

Rice is shooting 62.7 percent in the second half over the last two games, both times converting halftime deficits into victories. The Owls have outscored UCF and Marshall 41.5 to 27.5 in the second frame, and have posted 20-2 and 29-4 runs after halftime in those games. Jessica Kuster has scored 9.5 points per second half in that span.

Comeback Owls

Rice has had four come-from-behind wins (or 9 or more points) this season, coming back from down 31-20 to defeat McNeese State on Dec. 1, erasing a 31-22 deficit against UTSA on Dec. 20, battling back from a 48-35 disadvantage to beat Lamar on Dec. 30 and erasing a 57-42 deficit to beat Marshall in OT on Feb. 24. The Owls' 15-point comeback on Dec. 30 was the largest Rice comeback since Nov. 14, 2004, when the Owls erased a 15 point deficit against Stephen F. Austin.

Owls With The Most Home Wins Since 2006-07

Rice has won 11 home games for the first time since 2006-07, and has won 10+ for the 10th time in school history.

Rice On The TV

This is the second of two games Rice plays on television this year. The Feb. 10 game against Houston was televised on Fox Sports Net, and the Feb. 28 game at UTEP is on CBS Sports Network.

Autry Army

Rice is 37-18 since 2009-10 at Tudor Fieldhouse. The Owls were 13-3 at home in the calendar year of 2012 and 11-4 in the 2012-13 season.