WKU Women’s Basketball (14-11, 11-5 C-USA) was defeated by Rice University (18-7, 9-7 C-USA) 82-64, on Saturday, Feb. 18 at E.A. Diddle Arena.

The Lady Toppers were held to shooting 33.3% from the field and 17.9% from behind the arc. The Owls were efficient with 54% from the field and 35% from three. Rice committed 20 turnovers compared to WKU’s 18.

A big contributor for the Lady Toppers were the reserves. The bench put up 37 points. 

“Not only were we not making shots but they were making everything,” sophomore guard Macey Blevins said. “We were giving them easy looks”.

Senior forward India Bellamy, led Rice with 27 points. Bellamy was incredibly dominant in the paint, shooting 11-12 from the floor. The Lady Toppers were led by Blevins with 13. 

In the first quarter Rice jumped out to an early 14-4 lead. WKU battled back, trimming the lead to six. In the quarter, Rice shot 50% compared to WKU’s 35% from the field. 

The second quarter was physical. WKU outscored Rice 16-15. The Lady Toppers forced nine turnovers. 

With about two minutes left in the second quarter, Mya Meredith and Rice senior guard Katelyn Crosthwait competed for a rebound and got their arms tangled. Meredith then used two arms and pushed Crosthwait. 

Head Coach Lindsay Edmonds went onto the court and was ushered back. The official ruling resulted in an ejection to Meredith.  

The third quarter was all Rice. The Owls shot 64% compared to the Lady Toppers’ 7% from the field. Rice opened the second half with a 22-7 run. The score at the end of the quarter was 59-42.

In the fourth quarter the Lady Toppers continued to battle. The Lady Toppers trimmed the lead down 12 with 6:54 left. Rice responded with a bucket from Bellamy. 

“It really comes down to making sure you’re doing a better job, and a more disciplined job,” Head Coach Greg Collins said. 

The Lady Toppers will travel to Ruston, Louisiana to play the LA Tech Lady Techsters on Thursday, February 23 at 6 p.m. CST. 

Sports reporter Cole McIntire can be reached at [email protected] .