Women's basketball seeks revenge against

[PonyPride]

Mustangs, Owls Set to Battle Thursday Night at Moody Coliseum
SMU Looks to Avenge Earlier Season Loss to Rice
Feb. 14, 2007
DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU women's basketball team is entering its final weekend of basketball at Moody Coliseum and look to use the momentum of Sunday's 65-48 win over Marshall against state-rival Rice Thursday evening. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on KKGM-Radio (1630AM). The Owls (15-10, 8-4 C-USA) are in the midst of a four-game roadswing and post a 3-3 conference road record. SMU (14-10, 6-6 C-USA) is playing its third consecutive home game and post a 4-2 conference home record.

Scouting Rice...
Second-year head coach Greg Williams has the Owls playing some of their best basketball at the right time of the season, sporting six wins out of their last seven games, including two road victories last weekend. During that span, the Owls have outscored their opponents, 524-393 (+18.7 ppg edge). Senior forward Lauren Neaves is third in the league in scoring (19.8 ppg), second in rebounding (10.8 rpg) and second in blocked shots (2.14 blocks per game). She totals 11 double-doubles on the season. The Owls have been without the services of junior post Valeriya Berezhnyska (12.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg) for the last six games due to a leg injury.

Series History with the Owls...
The series record between SMU and Rice is all knotted at 28-28, with the Owls winning the last three meetings, including an 80-69 victory over the Mustangs in Houston on Jan. 25. SMU has won the last two regular-season meetings at Moody Coliseum (67-58 in 2005-06; 77-68 in 2004-05).

Pony Tales...
** In the NCAA national statistics dated Feb. 12, SMU is ranked 22nd in the nation (out of 324 ranked) in free throw percentage, 33rd in field goal percentage defense, 91st in scoring offense and 92nd in blocked shots. Janielle Dodds is 83rd in free throw percentage while Sharee Shepherd is 63rd in steals per game.