MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Interstat) — A surging Rice team riding a nine-game winning streak will face a struggling Memphis squad looking to halt a four-game slide when the American Athletic Conference foes meet Saturday at FedExForum.

The Rice Owls (18-3, 8-0 AAC) have been the class of the conference, boasting the league’s best record and remaining unbeaten in conference play. Their last loss came on Dec. 3. The Memphis Tigers (8-13, 2-6), meanwhile, have found consistent results hard to come from, having lost 10 of their last 13 games.

Rice is powered by guard Victoria Flores, who is coming off a career performance. In the Owls’ 65-55 win at Texas-San Antonio on Jan. 31, Flores scored 33 points with five rebounds in 35 minutes. Over her last five games, she is averaging 16.2 points per contest. She is complemented by forward Hailey Adams, who grabbed 15 rebounds in that same victory.

Memphis will counter with forward Paris Gaines, who posted 12 points and seven rebounds in the Tigers’ double-overtime loss at Tulsa last Saturday. Her production has been variable, but she provides a key interior presence for a team that will need to match Rice’s physicality.

The Tigers’ most recent win was a 52-40 victory over Texas-San Antonio on Jan. 23. Since then, they have endured close losses, including the 74-69 double-overtime defeat at Tulsa.

Rice’s dominant run includes an average margin of victory of 14.2 points during its nine-game streak. Memphis has lost its last four games by an average of 7.5 points.

Tipoff is set for Saturday afternoon. Rice will look to continue its march toward a conference title, while Memphis aims to play spoiler and gain momentum for the final month of the regular season.