PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas –  The Prairie View A&M University women's basketball team lost to Rice 88-68 Thursday at the William J. "Billy" Nicks Building.
 
The Lady Panthers were led in scoring by Shala Dobbins with 15, Dominique Newman had 12 and Chelsea Tieuel had 10 in her debut as a Lady Panther.  Dobbins also had three steals and four rebounds, while freshman Jyrah Cobb led the team with five rebounds.
 
It was very aggressive start for both teams in the first five minutes before Rice to a 23-13 lead after one.
 
The second quarter saw PVAMU outscore the Owls 20-16 and going into the half only six points down (39-33) after two free throws by Tieuel. 
 
PVAMU went cold in the third quarter as Rice took full advantage, taking a lead that the Lady Panthers would have trouble coming back from.  Prairie View showed resiliency, however, outscoring the Owls 26-19 in the fourth quarter.
 
The Lady Panthers return to action on New Year's Day in the SWAC opener at 3 p.m. vs. Alcorn State in the Baby Dome in a 3 p.m. doubleheader with the men's team.