Women's Hoop Report 76

Women's National Invitational Tournament Semifinals, March 26

Rice 85, Delaware 75

In Memphis, Tennessee, Rice (22-4) found its game early. After a 12-12 tie, the Owls went on a 14-4 run over Delaware (24-5) to close out the first quarter.

Rice got 25 points from forward Lauren Schwartz. The five-foot-11 sophomore hit seven-of-12 shots from the field and knocked down all 10 of her free-throw attempts. It was her second highest scoring output of the year and her third straight game with at least 20 points. Prior to the Conference USA Tournament Schwartz averaged 10.9 points. Since then she has averaged 18.2 points per contest.

Rice took a 44-26 lead to the intermission, before Delaware had its best offensive quarter with 26 points. Rice put up 23 points as Delaware went into the fourth quarter down 67-52. The Blue Hens got the scored down to 79-72 with 52 seconds left but there wasn't enough time as Rice held off Delaware's effort.

Shockingly Rice's star center Nancy Mulkey was held scoreless. She averaged 20 points per game in the first three WNIT wins. She only took three shots, while grabbing 11 rebounds, dishing out five assists and swatting three shots.

Rice senior guard Katelyn Crosthwait scored over ten points for just the 10th time this season when she posted a season best 20 points, draining four three-pointers. Guard Jasmine Smith also scored 17 points and yanked down 10 boards. It was the five-foot-seven junior's third game with 10 or more rebounds f0r the season.

Delaware outrebounded Rice 48-41. The Blue Hens took care of the ball better registering 16 assists and just eight turnovers. Rice had 22 assists and 18 turnovers. Delaware took an astonishing 93 shots due to the 30 offensive rebounds it collected. The problem is Delaware shot 33 percent from the field. Rice shot 50 times and made 54 percent of its attempts.

Delaware's Jasmine Dickey scored over 20 points for the fourth straight game. She posted 25 points and 13 rebounds but the bad news is that she made only nine-of-30 shots. Forward Lizzie Oleary and reserve Jewel Smalls had 12 points each in the loss.

Ole Miss 60, Northern Iowa 50

Northern Iowa (17-13) became the Little Engine that could in the WNIT and it did, until Friday, when it fell short to Ole Miss (15-11).

The Rebels had a strong start and outslugged Northern Iowa for the final three quarters to advance to the tournament finals. Forward Shakira Austin led the way with 18 points. She made seven-of-12 shots, while grabbing eight rebounds, blocking three shots, dishing out two assists and snatching one steal.

Forward Madison Scott was just as important in the Ole Miss attack with 14 points and 11 rebounds. She led all players with four blocked shots. The six-foot-one freshman has had eight blocked shots in the last three games. Prior to that she had 15 blocks in 20 contests. As a team Ole Miss had 12 blocks.

Ole Miss forward Snudda Collins also pitched in with three blocks. Junior guard Donnetta Johnson led the Rebels with three steals. Ole Miss was led offensively in assists by senior guard Mimi Reid. She posted six assists. In the her team's four WNIT wins she has amassed 21 assists and just 11 turnovers.

Northern Iowa was led in scoring by Karli Rucker, who scored 16 points. UNI struggled shooting 31 percent from the field. Ole Miss shot 45 percent. Junior Kam Finley overachieved in the team's first three WNIT games, averaging 15.3 points, which almost doubled her season scoring average prior to the tournament. In the loss to Ole Miss the guard struggled shooting two-of-nine, scoring just five points.

Ole Miss will face Rice, March 28 in Memphis for the WNIT Championship. This will be the first WNIT title for either team.