TULSA, Okla. (Interstat) — Dominique Ennis scored 26 points and the Rice women’s basketball team used a dominant third quarter to pull away from Tulsa for a 78-66 victory in an American Athletic Conference game Tuesday night at the Donald Reynolds Center.

The visiting Owls, improving to 15-3 overall and remaining near the top of the league standings, outscored the Golden Hurricane 25-18 in the pivotal third period to turn a narrow halftime edge into a comfortable working margin. Rice’s lead grew as large as 16 points in the fourth quarter before settling on the final 12-point margin.

Tulsa, which fell to 12-6, was led by a combined 41 points from Hannah Riddick and Mady Cartwright but struggled mightily from beyond the arc, connecting on just 2 of 16 three-point attempts. The Golden Hurricane’s offensive woes were encapsulated by an efficiency rating of 83.2 points per 100 possessions, well below Rice’s mark of 101.8.

The game’s decisive stretch began late in the second quarter and extended through the third. Leading 32-30 at halftime after a back-and-forth opening half, Rice seized control with a 12-5 run to open the third quarter. Ennis, a guard from Niagara Falls, Canada, was the catalyst, hitting a pair of three-pointers during the surge. The Owls’ defense simultaneously tightened, forcing several Tulsa turnovers and contested misses.

Rice’s advantage was built on volume and second chances. The Owls attempted eight more field goals than Tulsa, a direct result of a commanding 16-7 edge in offensive rebounds. That effort led to numerous extra possessions and helped offset Rice’s own 16 turnovers and a low assist total of just three for the game. Shelby Hayes contributed 11 points and was instrumental on the glass for Rice.

Tulsa, which had entered the game with a slight favorite’s probability according to advanced metrics, could not find consistent offense outside of its top two scorers. Riddick, a 6-foot-1 forward from Calgary, finished with 22 points and two blocks, while Cartwright, a guard from Greenwood, Arkansas, added 19 points. The rest of the Golden Hurricane roster combined for just 25 points on 7-of-28 shooting.

Rice’s balanced attack proved too much. Alongside Ennis’ game-high output, Hailey Adams scored 14 points, Aniah Alexis added 13 points and a team-high four assists, and Victoria Flores chipped in 12 points and five assists. The Owls shot 42% from the field and were an efficient 12 of 16 from the free-throw line.

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Tulsa, which had defeated Charlotte on the road in its previous outing. Rice has now won five consecutive games since a narrow one-point loss to UCF in late November, establishing itself as a formidable contender in the American Athletic Conference.

An announced crowd of 1,238 watched as the Owls methodically dismantled Tulsa’s defense in the second half, particularly by exploiting the interior. Rice scored 42 points in the paint and consistently found seams in the Golden Hurricane’s coverage for driving layups and short jumpers.

Both teams continue conference play Saturday. Rice returns home to host Tulane, while Tulsa travels to face North Texas. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Houston on Feb. 28.