Jan. 17, 2008

Box Score |  Photo Gallery 

Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss' Stephanie Helgeson scored a season-high 20 and Pauline Love pulled down a career-high 20 rebounds, but it wasn't enough as Rice took control in the second half and defeated Southern Miss, 64-58.

Andrea Barber was the only other player to score in double-digits for Southern Miss (10-7, 1-3) with 11 points. Rice's Kadie Riverin led all scorers with a game-high 22 points and Morgan Mayse added 15 points, in helping Rice snap a five-game losing streak and earn its conference first win.

Southern Miss took an 8-3 lead, before Rice used an 8-0 run to take an 11-8 lead. The Owls pushed their lead to five, 17-12, midway through the period.

The Lady Eagles then countered with a 6-0 run, to regain the lead, 18-17. The teams traded the lead until Southern Miss outscored Rice, 7-2, over a two-minute stretch to take a 27-21 lead. However, Rice came right back, outscoring Southern Miss, 15-7, over the last five minutes to take a 36-34 halftime lead.

Rice out-shot Southern Miss, 51.9 percent to 40.7 percent, in the half. Each team committed 13 turnovers apiece.

Riverin put the Owls up by four early in the second half, before Southern Miss was able to tie the game at 38-38. From there, Rice outscored southern Miss, 8-1, taking a seven-point lead, 46-39, with just over 12 minutes remaining.

Southern Miss was able to get within two points, 47-45, following a 6-2 run. Rice was able to regroup when Tara Watts scored five of the next six points, including a critical three-pointer scored off an inbounds pass.

Rice never trailed in the second half and led by as many as seven points, 60-53, with 1:06 remaining. Rice sealed the win, connecting on 4-of-4 free throws in the last 21 seconds.

Southern Miss scored 24 points off 21 Rice turnovers, but Rice was able to off set that with 14 second chance points.

The Lady Eagles won the battle of the boards, 44-36, but shot a disappointing 33.3 percent from the field.

Southern Miss plays its fourth conference game on the road, when the Lady Eagles travel to Houston for a Sunday match up. Tip time is scheduled for 2 p.m.