Owls defeat UTPA Broncs 75-54

Posted: December 30, 2012 -- 6:00 p.m. CST

HOUSTON, TX (Tudor Fieldhouse) -- The Rice Owls battled. The Rice Owls didn't give up. The Rice Owls won. Trailing 50-40, the Owls outscored the Lamar Cardinals 22-6 in the final 8:27 of the ball game to earn a hard fought 62-56 victory in front of 397 fans.

Jessica Kuster led the Owls with 21 points and 18 rebounds; but, Owls' freshman Elena Gumbs was the hero of the ball game. Gumbs came off the bench and dished out five assists plus 15 huge points -- including the go-ahead three-point basket with 26.6 seconds left in the ball game.

The final moments of the game were a far, far cry from the woeful first half. At one point, the Owls (8-4) trailed 10-5 and were 2 for 20 from the field while the Cardinals were 3 for 18.

The teams warmed up a bit and the Cardinals led 22-16 before Kuster scored six straight points to tie the game at 22. Then, Lamar's best player, Kalis Loyd, made her 2nd of three consecutive three point shots to give the Cards the lead once again. Loyd swished her third three to close out the first half scoring and give the Cardinals a 28-24 halftime lead.

Loyd scored seven points early in the second half; and, the Owls trailed 48-35 with 11 minutes remaining. Kuster scored a layup before teammate Alyssa Lang nailed a three-point basket to reduce the Owls' deficit to 48-40.

The Owls trailed 50-40 with 8:27 on the clock. The Owls crept back into the game thanks to Kuster and Gumbs.

Kuster sank a jump shot. Gumbs scored a layup. Kuster scored another turnaround jumper. Gumbs drained 2 free throws.

The Cardinals (7-3) struggled scoring while Gumbs and Kuster heated up. Gumbs sank another jump shot to bring the Owls within 54-53. Teammate Nikki Maduka split two free throws to tie the game at 54 with 2:09 on the clock.

Loyd sank 2 free throws; but, Kuster answered with another jump shot to tie the game at 56 with 1:01 left. Loyd missed a shot attempt which set up Gumbs' heroics.

With the shot clock winding down, Gumbs said she asked for the ball. She could hear her teammates yelling "3.2.1." She shot the ball and splashed home a three to give the Owls a 59-56 lead with just 26.6 remaining.

The Cardinals called timeout; but, failed to score. Gumbs rebounded the missed shot and was fouled with 4.9 seconds remaining. Gumbs made the first foul shot but missed the second attempt. However, Gumbs stole the ball and scored layup to finish the scoring and give the Owls a thrilling victory.

Gumbs and Kuster combined to score 20 of the Owls' last 22 points.

The Owls have won six straight games. Their next game is New Year's Day, on the road, versus the Texas A&M Aggies. Tip is set for 2pm.