PREVIEW: Women’s Basketball Returns to Action at Rice

HOUSTON – The University of Houston women's basketball program continues action on the road when it meets Rice at 7 p.m., Thursday inside Tudor Fieldhouse.

Thursday's game marks the 65^th meeting between the Cougars and Owls.

HOUSTON (0-2) at Rice (2-1)
Date \| Time	Thursday, Nov. 14 \| 7 p.m.
Opponent	Rice (2-1)
Location	Tudor Fieldhouse \| Houston, Texas
Watch	ESPN+ \| Jason Metko (pxp), Brooke Kirchhofer (analyst), Sam Kaman (sideline reporter)
Listen	The Varsity Network \| Jeremy Branham
Live Stats	SIDEARM Live Stats
Game Notes	Houston \| Rice

THE GAME

Houston and Rice meet for the 65th time in program history on Thursday.
The Cougars lead the all-time series, 53-11.
Houston leads the all-time series at Rice, 23-6.
Head Coaches Ronald Hughey and Lindsay Edmonds meet for the third time in their careers.
Hughey leads Rice, 3-1.
In its last meeting against Rice, Laila Blair's 26 points led Houston to a 71-63 overtime victory at Fertitta Center (Dec. 20, 2023).
The last two matches between Houston and Rice have gone to overtime, with Rice winning a double overtime victory in 2022 and Houston winning the overtime battle in 2023.

LAST TIME OUT

Houston dropped a 61-47 battle against Georgia on the road inside Stegeman Coliseum on Friday (Nov. 8, 2024).
The Cougars were led by graduate guard Eylia Love's 17 points and nine rebounds. Junior forward Amiya Evans recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead Georgia.

THE TIP

Houston returns All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention selection Laila Blair for the 2024-25 season.
The Cougars return five players from the 2023-24 roster: Kierra Merchant, Gigi Cooke, Laila Blair, Avalon Miller and Peyton McFarland.
Houston welcomes transfers Leilani Augmon (Troy), Summer Bostock (Maryland), Ashley Chevalier (Texas Tech) and Eylia Love (Louisville) to the squad this season.
Senior guards Maliyah Johnson and Kateri Poole will miss the season after suffering knee injuries just two weeks apart.
Assistant Coach Chynna Grimes will miss the first two months of the season after the arrival of her daughter, Capri, on Nov. 4.

SERIES HISTORY

Houston record vs. Rice	53-11
Home / away / neutral	27-3/23-6/3-2
Last meeting	W, 71-63 OT (Dec. 20, 2023) \| Fertitta Center
Streak	Houston 1

UP NEXT
Following Thursday's game, Houston returns to Fertitta Center for the start of its three game homestand as it welcomes Houston Christian at 2 p.m., Sunday for its Hoops for Troops Game.

Fans 12 and under can enjoy a postgame meet and greet on the court with select student-athletes.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by purchasing single tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining the Fast Break Club, which provides support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on X, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.

– UHCougars.com –

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