5:03 pm
March 26

Women’s NIT: Rice v. Delaware

Who will WIN this matchup?

Rice Owls (21-4)

Delaware Blue Hens (24-4)

 

Current odds:

Rice Owls: (TBD)

Delaware Blue Hens: (TBD)

 

• The line for this game is Rice by 1.5 points.

• The Owls led wire to wire in a convincing 79-55 victory over previously undefeated California Baptist to win the WNIT Fort Worth Regional and advance to the semifinals next weekend in Memphis. Rice placed four players in double-figures led by a game-high 20 points from sophomore wing Lauren Schwartz. The Union, Ky. native, who was named to the Fort Worth All-Tournament Team, was nearly perfect on the offensive end, making 9-of-11 shots from the field to go along with six rebounds (4 offensive) and five assists. Complimenting Schwartz was senior center Nancy Mulkey, who took home tournament MVP honors with 16 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks. For the tournament the Cypress, Texas native averaged 20 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.0 blocks.

• The Blue Hens rank in the top-10 in the NCAA in five different categories, including No. 1 in the country in offensive rebounds per game (20.0). They’re also fifth in total rebounds per game (46.5) and fourth in made free throws. Ty Battle is second in the NCAA in double-doubles (19) while Jasmine Dickey is 12th in the country in scoring (22.5).

• Two nights after earning the top spot on ESPN’s Sportscenter Top 10 plays with two half-court buzzer beaters in the second round win over Clemson, freshman guard Tyi Skinner matched her career high from that game with 22 points to lead the Blue Hens (24-4, 16-2 Colonial Athletic Association). Making her first career start, Skinner also dished a game-high four assists, grabbed two rebounds and blocked a shot.

• Junior guard Jasmine Dickey also scored 22 points in addition to grabbing seven boards and three steals.

• Redshirt junior forward Ty Battle had a massive game down low, recording her 19th double-double of the season with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line to go with 14 rebounds and two steals. Battle’s 19 double-doubles are the second most in a single season in program history, behind only Nicole Enabosi’s 23 from the 2017-18 season.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Rice Owls
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