Rice Owls top Tulsa

Posted: February 12, 2012 -- 8:30 p.m. CST

HOUSTON, TX (Tudor Fieldhouse) -- The Rice Owls do not shoot the basketball very well this season; however, the bottom line to winning is to score more points than your opponent. Despite shooting 24.6% (15 for 61) from the field, the Owls topped Tulsa 55-48 Sunday afternoon inside Tudor Fieldhouse in front of 556 fans gathered for the Owls' "Play4Kay" game.

"Our offense, our shooting percentage, has been a common theme throughout the season," said Owls senior Brianna Hypolite. "So, we're trying to make sure our defense makes up for our lack of offense this season."

Hypolite scored a team-high 19 points; but, the Owls (12-12 overall, 6-5 in Conference USA) received a much needed boost from freshman forward Nakachi (Nikki) Maduka in the game. Maduka came off the bench and scored a career-high 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her first career double-double.

"I think I played well," said the shy Maduka after the game. "I supported my team. I tried to do everything I could for us to win."

Maduka has battled injuries throughout this season; but, she happily stated she's finally healthy.

"I'm finally healthy which is kind of weird because, throughout the season, I've been battling so many injuries. But, I'm healthy now. I had good practices this week; so, this was a good one."

Maduka played 15 minutes in the first half due to foul trouble to sophomore sensation Jessica Kuster and senior Candace Ashford.

The Owls led the Golden Hurricane (10-12, 5-6) 25-24 at halftime. Hypolite (10 points) and Maduka (8 points) combined for 18 of the 25 points.

Tulsa tied the game at 31 and stayed close to the Owls through much of the second half. However, Hypolite, Maduka and Kuster made key plays each time Tulsa got close to help the Owls secure the victory.

"I'm proud of the effort that we had," Owls head coach Greg Williams said. "I thought we had a really good defensive effort. Thank goodness. Because when you shoot 24.6 percent from the field and 15 percent from the three, you know it's going to be a low-scoring, grind it out type game. I was proud of our defensive effort."

Coach Williams added, "I'm very proud of Nikki Maduka. Nakachi had a really good week of practice. She had a good week offensively. She's learning how to keep her poise in the post. She was huge for us with her first double-double."

The Owls picked up 15 steals; forced Tulsa into 24 turnovers; and made 22 of 28 free throws to help negate the ice cold field goal shooting.

The Owls head to the road for their next two games: first is in New Orleans versus Tulane on Thursday followed with a Sunday noon tip in Dallas against SMU.