HOUSTON – The Sam Houston women's basketball team fell to Rice 65-60 at Tudor Fieldhouse on Sunday. 

The Bearkats started strong but endured a five-minute scoring drought as Rice's defense clamped down. The Owls held Sam Houston to 20 percent shooting in the first quarter while shooting 71 percent themselves. 

Sam Houston made key adjustments in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to four points. The Bearkat defense forced a four-minute scoring drought for Rice, but Sam Houston trailed 38-31 at halftime. The Bearkats shot 53 percent from the field in the second quarter, while the Owls cooled to 33 percent. 

Rice maintained a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but Sam Houston clawed back to within three points with seven minutes remaining. The Bearkats' defense limited Rice to 18 percent shooting in the final period, but the comeback fell short. 

Kaile Kelley led the Bearkats with 16 points, while Fanta Kone added 12 and Deborah Ogayemi chipped in 10. Aysia Ward-Strong grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds. 

Sam Houston will return home to face St. Thomas at Johnson Coliseum on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m., with the game airing on ESPN+.