Dec. 4, 2008

Arlington, Texas -

Rice University Game Notes

GAME #7
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON (2-4 Overall) at RICE UNIVERSITY (3-2 Overall)
Saturday, December 6, 2008 - 5:30 p.m.
Tudor Fieldhouse - Houston, Texas

Scouting The Owls...
The Owls of Rice University will look to rebound against UT Arlington at Saturday's game after dropping a close 56-53 decision to Arkansas-Little Rock on Nov. 29 in Little Rock, Ark.

Rice freshman D'Frantz Smart notched a career-high 19 points, grabbed six boards and dished out six assists for the Owls. Smart was the only Rice player to score in double-figures as the Owls suffered their first road loss and the second of the season.

The Owls finished the game shooting 38.2 percent (21-of-55) from the floor compared to the Trojans 40.3 percent (25-of-62) from the field.

Despite outrebounding UALR by a 46-32 margin the Owls committed 22 team turnovers to the Trojan's 10.

Smart currently leads the team in scoring with 12.6 points per game while Morgan Mayse leads the squad in rebounding with 7.0.

The Owls hold a 3-1 home record and are 3-2 this season. Rice has collected wins over Cal State Northridge, Prairie View A&M, and Furman.

Series History With The Herd...
Saturday evening marks the fifth all-time meeting between the Mavericks and the Owls.

The last meeting between both squads was back on December 30, 1991 in Houston, Texas where UT Arlington recorded a 77-67 victory. The all-time series is tied at 2-2.

Last Time Out
The Mavericks are coming off two non-conference losses on the road against Morehead State (11/30) and Marshall (12/2). UT Arlington dropped a 70-65 setback against the Eagles in Morehead, KY and suffered an 82-72 decision to the Thundering Herd at the Cam Henderson Center. The Mavericks are 1-4 away from Texas Hall with their lone win coming against SMU in their season opener on November 14.

Mavericks on the Road and in the Sky
The entire month of December will find the Mavs away from the confines of Texas Hall. UTA will compete in three non-conference games and participate in two tournaments. The Mavericks will go head-to-head against teams from C-USA, Big 12, Big South, Atlantic Coast, and Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The Mavericks will first head to Huntington, WV, for a match-up against Conference USA foe-Marshall on Tuesday, December 2 at 7 p.m., followed by a match-up against Rice on Saturday, December 6 with tip off time set for 5:30 p.m.

UTA will then play their second Big 12 opponent-Kansas State of the season on Sunday, December 14 at the Bramlage Colliseum with game time set for 1 p.m.

The highlight of the 2008-09 season for UTA will be the two-day Bahamas Sunsplash Shootout Tournament in Nassau, Bahamas. In day one of the tournament, the Mavericks will go head-to-head against Memphis on Thursday, December 18 at 7 p.m. followed by their final game versus Winthrop or Georgia Tech on Saturday, December 20.

The Holiday Inn Select Holiday Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma marks the end of non-conference action for the Mavs. UTA will face tournament host Tulsa on Monday, December 29 at 7 p.m. and Texas Southern on Tuesday, December 30 at 7 p.m.

Candice Champion NAMED SLC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
On Monday, November 17, senior Candice Champion was selected as the first women's basketball player of the week of the 2008-09 campaign.

After recording a game-high 20 points in a non-conference match-up against SMU (11-14-08), Champion led the Mavs to a huge 85-79 opening day victory at the Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas.

The senior foward finished shooting 7-of-14 from the field and 6-of-10 from the free throw line, to go along with eight rebounds, two assists and three steals in 36 minutes of action.

Mergerson and Green Questionable for 2008-09 Season
Newcomers Veronica Mergerson and Ryan Green have yet to step on the court this season for the Mavericks, as Mergerson is suffering from a summer injurer and Green's fate is to be determined by the NCAA.

Mergerson comes from Duncanville High School where she earned all-region honors and was a first team all-district recipient.

Green, a 6-2 forward was a four-time first team all-district award winner at Crowley High School.

UP NEXT FOR THE MAVS...
The Mavs continue their eight game road trip with their fourth stop in Manhattan, KS where they will take on Big 12 opponent-Kansas State on Sunday, December 14 at 1 p.m.