Four Banners

Tracking the Comets’ return to Houston with some UH WBB on the side

[Four Banners @FourBannersHTX]

My latest piece for @TheIXSports, a deep dive into the excitement around Matthew Mitchell’s revamped @UHCougarWBB roster https://t.co/m5syLjXPCk

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

@RiceWBB holds off a late Murray State rally for a huge 69-64 win.

Louann Battiston leads the way with 22 points and 6 assists.

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

Huge third quarter for @RiceWBB to extend out to a 53-37 lead going into the fourth.

Louann Battiston and Reychel Douglas both in double digits.

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

@RiceWBB with the 31-25 halftime lead. Extremely balanced first half attack for the Owls.

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

About an hour out from @RiceWBB facing their first big test of the season against Murray State. Follow the advice of @TaliaGoodmanWBB and tune into ESPN+ to check out some high-level mid-major hoops

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

Raegan McCowan on @UHCougarWBB controlling the game through their rebounding

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

Raegan McCowan on Coach Mitchell preparing them to handle the Sam Houston’s pressure tonight

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

Kaelyn Hamilton on Reagan McCowan putting up a double double and her rebounding abilities as an undersized 4.

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

Coach Mitchell on limiting the turnovers going forward

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

Coach Mitchell on Élodie Lutbert’s abilities to effect the game even when she’s not putting up huge numbers

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

@UHCougarWBB pulls away in the fourth for the 78-50 win, their largest margin of victory since 2024.

Enriquez - 17 points
Llompart - 18 points, 7 boards, 8 assists
McCowan - 15 points, 10 boards
Hamilton - 14 points
Lutbert - 8 points, 7 boards, 4 blocks

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

@UHCougarWBB with the 58-40 lead after three. After a big second quarter, offense becomes a bit of a slog again in the third, with nine turnovers, seven missed FTs, and back-to-back ten second calls.

Raegan McCowan has been everywhere tonight with 11 points, ten boards, and a couple of big drawn charges.

Enriquez leading the scoring again with 17, but sat the last couple minutes of the quarter with 4 fouls.

[Four Banners @FourBannersHTX]

RT @kennethwardHTX: @UHCougarWBB up 42-26. Put up 31 point quarter (including a 12-0 run), extending the lead out to 24 before giving up an…

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

@UHCougarWBB up 11-9 after an extremely sloppy first quarter.

Cougars have been great defensively and press break is looking much better, but offense has been extremely sloppy in the half court, with 8 turnovers so far and shooting only 33%.

Notably, Elodie Lutbert played 7 minutes without a foul after fouling out in just 16 minutes on Monday.

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

Thursday night at Fertitta Center for @UHCougarWBB v. Sam Houston

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

Kaelyn Hamilton and Elodie Lutbert back in the starting lineup for @UHCougarWBB

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

@RiceWBB spent about 10 minutes Monday night celebrating a 29-win season, a conference championship and a new banner.

Then @RiceCoachE told them to look forward.

The result: a dominating opening-night win setting the tone for their “Pursuit of More”

My latest for @TheIXSports ⬇️

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

@RiceWBB takes their opener over Houston Christian, who couldn't get a clean shot off until late in the fourth, scoring as many points from the line as they did from the field.

Victoria Flores - 19 points, 5 boards
Jordin Blackmon - 16 points (4-7 from three)
Hailey Adams - 16 boards
Louann Battiston - 11 points, 8 assists

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

@RiceWBB extends the lead to 55-26 after the third. HCU still shooting just 11.4% from the field.

After only taking one shot the first half, Victoria Flores goes off for 11 points in the first five minutes of the second half. Hailey Adams all over the place with 15 boards and counting.

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

@RiceWBB goes into the half with a 39-18 advantage. Defense continues to be stifling, with HCU still only shooting 9.1% from the field. HCU really only able to score when Rice fouls them, going 13-18 from the line.

Louann Battison - 11 points, 2 assists
Aniah Alexis - 5 points, 7 boards, 2 assists
Hailey Adams - 4 points, 8 boards, 3 assists
Victoria Flores - 6 points, 4 boards

[Kenneth Ward @kennethwardHTX]

After one, @RiceWBB jumps out to a 20-6 lead behind a stifling defense, holding Houston Christian to 7.7% from the field.

Last year's American Conference Sixth Player of the Year Louann Battison leads the way so far with 6 points and 2 assists. Five points and three boards for Aniah Alexis.