A&M is 7-0 with two wins over ranked teams (2 pts over #19 DePaul, 5 pts over #25 Texas). Obviously our biggest test so far. I don't think we're looking at an at large bid regardless, so I don't think it's the end of the world if we lose (others might feel differently). More important is that we play them in a way that shows us we're still the team to beat in the conference.
Wish the game was on ESPN+ instead of SEC+. Makes it much more difficult to watch.
(12-20-2020 12:01 PM)elw4796 Wrote: [ -> ]A&M is 7-0 with two wins over ranked teams (2 pts over #19 DePaul, 5 pts over #25 Texas). Obviously our biggest test so far. I don't think we're looking at an at large bid regardless, so I don't think it's the end of the world if we lose (others might feel differently). More important is that we play them in a way that shows us we're still the team to beat in the conference.
Wish the game was on ESPN+ instead of SEC+. Makes it much more difficult to watch.
I get SEC network on cable. I take it SEC+ is online-only?
(12-20-2020 12:44 PM)georgewebb Wrote: [ -> ] (12-20-2020 12:01 PM)elw4796 Wrote: [ -> ]A&M is 7-0 with two wins over ranked teams (2 pts over #19 DePaul, 5 pts over #25 Texas). Obviously our biggest test so far. I don't think we're looking at an at large bid regardless, so I don't think it's the end of the world if we lose (others might feel differently). More important is that we play them in a way that shows us we're still the team to beat in the conference.
Wish the game was on ESPN+ instead of SEC+. Makes it much more difficult to watch.
I get SEC network on cable. I take it SEC+ is online-only?
Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's online (or smart TV) only. But now that I think about it, SEC+ might actually be included if you have an ESPN+ subscription.
Rice's first basket comes from a Mulkey 3. Love that she's been working on that.
Rice's non-Mulkey minutes will be key. I'd expect them to really attack the paint while she's not in the game. 10-6 Rice with 5:34 left. Including 7 straight from Smith.
13-6 Rice with 4:44 left. About as good of a start as you could ask for. Defense has been really sharp. Smith with two really good drives and a confident 3.
Halfway through the first, Rice with an early lead, 13-6. McCurry picks up a foul and we get a media TO.
To win this game we're gonna need to avoid sloppy mistakes. A few in a row there. Smith goes under on a screen, McCurry misses a wide open bunny, Schwartz loses her mark on a rebound, and then Schwartz turns it over. A&M immediately with a chance to tie it up.
Tied after one, 17-17. Smith with 9 points and Mulkey with 5. Schwartz with 2 fouls.
Can't win games in the first quarter but you can lose them, which we haven't done. 17-17. Only problem is that the game as its current pace doesn't favor us. A&M got a bunch of pretty good looks in the last 4 minutes and I'm not sure our offense can trade jabs. Need to be a bit sharper on defense.
Playing better when Mulkey is on the floor. Going to be interesting to see how much she is able to play.
24-22 Rice. There have been points this year where Mulkey has struggled close to the basket, but she deserves credit for the way she's worked on her offensive game. Has hit a couple 3s this year, showed a nice move a couple of minutes ago putting the ball on the floor. She's been really good in this game.
Interesting that Schwartz and Crosthwaite have been on the bench for a while. Neither was overly sharp to start, but Bellamy doesn't really give us a lot on offense.
Not much offense on either end in the 2nd. Rice leads 28-24 at the half.
28-24 Rice. That second quarter is the type of game we can win. Stifling defense from Rice...just all around awesome. Might have been one of Smith's best halves at Rice. Mulkey also really good. Swayze with two baskets when we were struggling to score. Gonna need something more from Schwartz and Crosthwaite to win.
Just a really bad start to the second half. 4 straight TOs, all from Schwartz or Crosthwaite. Those two need to step up.
Rice up to 12 turnovers, 30-28, 7:11 left in 3rd.
Now 6 TOs in our first 7 second half possessions. Still 30-28 Rice but this is early danger zone.
Rice really fortunate to be tied 30-30. Best opponent of the season, but this has been maybe our worst quarter of the season.