PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – After being on the road for the last eight consecutive games, the Prairie View A&M women's basketball team will return to the William J. Nicks Building to host Rice University on Thursday at 2 p.m.
The contest will be streamed live on PVAMUsportsnetwork.com where fans can also access livestats at the same time.
The Lady Panthers will be looking to protect their home court after opening the season with two wins under their belts at the Baby Dome.
"We are excited about being at home. It's an opportunity to play in front of your fans," said head PVAMU head women's basketball coach Ravon Justice. "Playing on the road is a little tough, but there isn't anything like playing at home, because of the home court advantage. I know our kids are ready to be back at home. We talk about winning all of our home games and protecting our court. Our goal is to make sure that we are protect our house."
The Lady Panthers will be meeting the Owls for the 17th time Thursday, with Rice having the 13-3 advantage. In their last meeting on Nov. 11, 2016 in both team's season openers, the Owls defeated PVAMU in a hard fight at Rice falling 68-57.
The Lady Panthers are 2-8 on the season after another hard fought matchup as Colorado State held off PVAMU in a late rally to win 70-59 Monday. Prairie View A&M has three players scoring in double-digits, with Shala Dobbins leading the team averaging 20.5 ppg, Jordyn Penniman who is averaging 11.8 ppg and Dominique Newman who is averaging 10.3 ppg. Dobbins is ranked 26th in the nation in scoring and 1st in free throws made.
"These ladies have been playing hard," commented Justice. "Having a whole new team is big. We definitely had to change some of the dynamics of how we have had to play. Not just these three, but all of the players. We have had to figure somethings out and people will be surprised by the end of the season."
"Shala Dobbins doesn't have another level - all she knows is go. She plays hard, takes a lot of hits in a game, she gets up. The biggest thing we love about her is that she's relentless. When you have relentless player's good things happen for them."
Rice will enter the contest 8-2 with Erica Ogwumike leading the way in scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.9 points per game and 7.6 rbg. Ogwumike has a sister Olivia who plays besides her on the court, which is averaging 11.7 ppg. Nicole Lademarco is the second leading scorer for Rice, who is averaging 15.2 ppg.
"Rice is playing really well right now," Justice said. "Erica Ogwumike is leading the team with great leadership. The great part of this competition tomorrow will be that we have a few pieces that we've been missing back so we are excited about that. With that being said we are playing a good team, but we are also a good team and we are excited about seeing the matchup tomorrow."
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