The numbers tell part of the story — 22 straight wins, a 27-3 overall record, a spotless 17-0 mark in American Conference play — but for the Rice Owls women’s basketball team, the defining trait of this season has been resolve.
Tuesday night’s 63-56 road victory over the University of North Carolina at Charlotte pushed the Owls to a program-record 22 consecutive wins and also marked career victory No. 100 for head coach Lindsay Edmonds, tying her as the fastest coach in program history to reach the milestone.
For Edmonds, the streak is less about gaudy totals and more about daily consistency.
“I’m really proud of this group. To do what we have done all season long is really, really hard,” Edmonds said. “You’re getting everyone’s best shot every night.”
Even on a night when Rice wasn’t at its sharpest, the formula held. Behind 23 points from Dominique Ennis and a double-double from Shelby Hayes (11 points, 13 rebounds), the Owls weathered a late push and closed on a 6-0 run, leaning on defense and free throws to seal it.
“I felt like at times we didn’t play the best versions of ourselves, but we found a way,” Edmonds said. “When we were faced with adversity, we closed the game on a 6-0 run, got the stops when we needed them and the scores when we needed them. I’m just proud of them for not backing down from that moment.”
That ability to “find a way” has defined the streak. Night after night, opponents treat Rice like a measuring stick. Night after night, the Owls respond.
Edmonds credits the team’s internal culture, and its simple mantra, for sustaining the surge.
“It’s been so much fun. The best part is we’re not finished yet,” she said. “Everyone has truly bought into our motto of TNT — today, not tomorrow. It’s one thing to have a motto, but unless you have total buy-in, it doesn’t matter. And we’ve had total buy-in every single day.”
The players, she added, aren’t chasing records — just winning habits.
“I don’t think anyone’s focused on the total amount of wins, but to be able to put our names in the record books for Rice is just an incredible accomplishment,” Edmonds said. “I’m so proud of that.”
The milestone victory also offered a moment for reflection. In just a few seasons, Edmonds has guided the program to sustained success while building a coaching staff and roster she says she trusts completely.
“As a head coach, you’re only as successful as the people you surround yourself with,” she said. “I’ve surrounded myself with an incredible staff and incredible players who helped me reach this milestone. I’m grateful, I feel blessed — and there’s more to come.”
Rice returns home for the regular season finale and Senior Day Saturday against the University of Texas at San Antonio.