Dec. 5, 2003

HOUSTON, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks lost their fifth consecutive game to kick off the 2003-04 season, falling to Rice, 94-50, in the opening round of the Gene Hackerman/Rice Invitational Friday night.

The Ladyjacks battled Rice tough early in the contest as junior Jaliyla Muhammad hit a layup with 14:35 remaining in the first half to tie the game at 10. Muhammad finished the game five points on 2-of-6 (.333) shooting. But the Owls went on a 21-10 run over the next 7:09 of the contest to build an 11-point advantage, 31-20. The Owls, who had been struggling offensively coming into tonight's game, found their mark against the Ladyjacks shooting 18-of-29 (.621) in the first half. The Owls went into the intermission with a 46-25 lead.

The Owls opened the second half with a 12-2 run to extend their advantage to 58-27 with 17:10 remaining in the contest. The Ladyjacks were not able to cut into the lead as Rice held SFA to a 10-of-37 (.270) performance from the floor in the second half.

The Ladyjacks were also hurt by turnovers. SFA committed 30 turnovers that the Owls turned into 36 points on the other end.

Sophomore LaToya Mills led SFA with nine points and a season-high 11 rebounds. Freshman Nikki Carr scored six points going 2-for-2 from beyond the three-point arc. Junior Tiffany Perkins added 7 points and dished out two assists.

The Ladyjacks return to action Saturday to take on Eastern Kentucky. The game against the Colonels will begin at 5 p.m., from Autry Court.

-SFA-