HOUSTON — The Prairie View A&M women's basketball team dropped a 77-55 contest against Rice University on Sunday afternoon in Tudor Fieldhouse.

Senior Bernesha Peters led the team with 16 points, two rebounds, two steals and two assists, while also going 2-2 from the free throw line. Freshman Diana Rosenthal followed with 11 points, two steals and one rebound. Freshman Kennedy Paul also posted nine points, four rebounds, one assist and one block.
 
A sluggish start derailed the Panthers early, as Prairie View A&M found itself in a 20-4 hole going into the second quarter. Though the Panthers managed an 8-2 run -- as led by Peters – to get within 14 of the Owls, the Panthers went nearly scoreless over the last five minutes of the half, until a last second jumper from Peters sent the team into halftime down 36-16.
 
During the third quarter, Rosenthal led Prairie View A&M (2-7) in back and forth scoring battle with Rice, but the Panthers weren't able to make up ground on the scoreboard. Paul responded with a three pointer to cut the Panthers' deficit to 44-27, and the freshman ultimately accounted for seven of the Panthers' final 11 points of the period as they went to the final quarter down 18.
 
Rosenthal capped a 5-2 Prairie View A&M spurt that cut the deficit to 55-40 with just under nine minutes to play. Rice swished home a pair of baskets to push its lead to 19, but Prairie View A&M responded to again draw within 15 with 6:33 left.
 
However, the Panthers found themselves on the wrong end of an 18-5 run that ultimately sealed the game for Rice.

Erica Ogwumike led Rice with 25 points.
 
Next up:
The Panthers will face Texas Tech University on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Tip-off is set for noon in Lubbock, Texas.
 


#pvamuwhoops