HOUSTON (Interstat) — In a clash of Owls, the home team proved superior as the Rice women’s basketball team used a decisive third-quarter surge to pull away from Temple for a 65-56 victory in American Athletic Conference play Wednesday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.

Rice, improving to 17-3 overall and solidifying its position atop the league, overcame a slow offensive start by clamping down defensively after halftime. Temple, which fell to 9-11, saw its two-game conference winning streak snapped despite a gritty effort that kept the contest close for three quarters.

The game’s pivotal stretch came in the third period. After a tightly contested first half that saw Rice take a narrow 23-19 lead into the break, the home team opened the second half with increased offensive urgency. A driving layup by Shelby Hayes and a Victoria Flores three-pointer quickly extended the margin to nine. Temple’s offense, which managed just 19 points in the first half, found a rhythm behind Kaylah Turner and Saniyah Craig, but could not consistently string together stops.

Rice’s separation was cemented by a 9-2 run late in the third quarter. Hayes, the 6-foot-2 forward from Cedar Park, Texas, was instrumental during this stretch, scoring on a layup and drawing fouls to get to the line. Her inside presence, coupled with disruptive perimeter defense from guards Louann Battiston and Dominique Ennis, forced Temple into rushed shots and turnovers. When the quarter ended, Rice had outscored Temple 20-17 to carry a 43-36 advantage into the final frame, a lead they would not relinquish.

Hayes finished as the game’s leading scorer with 18 points to go with three assists in 31 minutes. Her efficiency in the paint was a constant challenge for Temple’s interior defense. She was ably supported by Battiston, the diminutive guard from Belgium, who orchestrated the offense with 13 points and a game-high six assists. Her back-to-back three-pointers in the second and fourth quarters were momentum-swinging shots that answered Temple mini-runs.

For the visiting Owls, the backcourt duo of Kaylah Turner and Jaleesa Molina shouldered the offensive load. Turner, a 5-6 guard from Jacksonville, Florida, led Temple with 16 points and four assists in 36 minutes, attacking the basket relentlessly. Molina, a 6-2 post player from the Netherlands, added 13 points and battled on the glass in her 37 minutes of action. Saniyah Craig provided a significant spark off the bench, contributing 14 points, many coming on tough finishes inside.

Rice’s defensive identity, however, was the ultimate difference. The home team registered nine blocked shots, with Ennis swatting four and Hailey Adams adding three. Adams, a 6-1 guard from San Antonio, was a defensive stalwart, playing all 40 minutes and contributing 10 points, two assists, and three blocks while often guarding Temple’s primary ball-handlers. This rim protection limited Temple to 26 points in the paint and altered countless other attempts.

Temple showed fight in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to seven points on multiple occasions, the last coming on a Jaleesa Molina three-pointer with 21 seconds remaining. Each time, Rice had an answer, usually from the free-throw line where they sealed the game in the final minute. A key sequence saw Victoria Flores sink two clutch free throws with 25 seconds left after being fouled on a steal, pushing the lead back to nine and effectively ending Temple’s hopes.

The game began as a defensive struggle, with both teams combining for 18 first-quarter points. Temple’s early edge came from Turner, who scored the game’s first four points. Rice responded with a 7-0 run, but neither team could establish offensive flow in a half characterized by physical play and 17 combined turnovers.

With the win, Rice continues its strong campaign, having now won 10 of its last 11 games. Temple, meanwhile, looks to regroup after seeing its modest conference momentum halted. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Philadelphia on Feb. 25.

The announced attendance at Tudor Fieldhouse was 767.