FORT WORTH, Texas – No. 9 Rice defeated No. 4 Temple, 67-49, to advance to the title game of the 2025 American Women’s Basketball Championship on Tuesday evening, March 11, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
With the win, defending champion Rice (17-16) will look to go back-to-back, facing the winner of No. 2 North Texas and No. 3 South Florida in the finals on Wednesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Rice shot 53.8 percent (7-of-13) from the floor in the opening quarter, going on a 7-0 run over the final 2:35 to lead 19-14.
Leading 33-26 at the half, Rice began the second half on a 7-0 run, holding Temple (20-11) scoreless through the first 5:17 of the third quarter. Rice freshman Aniah Alexis scored seven of her 14 points in the third quarter, helping the Owls take a 15-point lead over Temple leading into the fourth at 49-34.
Temple failed to make a three-pointer for the first time this season (8 attempts).
Rice improved to 7-0 in The American Championship, one of two teams that have never lost an American Championship game (UConn). The Owls have started as a lower seed in every game they’ve played in The Championship and will be the lower seed going into the championship game Wednesday night.
Moving to 6-11 all-time in the Championship, Tuesday marked the second straight season Temple has been eliminated in the semifinals by Rice.
2025 American Women’s Basketball Championship Schedule
(All Rounds Except First Round Played at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas)
First Round | Saturday, March 8 | Super Pit in Denton, Texas
Game 1: No. 12 Charlotte 55, No. 13 Florida Atlantic 51 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Second Round | Sunday, March 9
Game 2: No. 9 Rice 76, No. 8 UAB 63 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 3: No. 12 Charlotte 71, No. 5 Tulsa 66 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 4: No. 7 East Carolina 64, No. 10 Memphis 45 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 5: No. 6 Tulane 69, No. 11 Wichita State 63 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Quarterfinals | Monday, March 10
Game 6: No. 9 Rice 62, No. 1 UTSA 58 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 7: No. 4 Temple 65, No. 12 Charlotte 34 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 8: No. 2 North Texas 69, No. 7 East Carolina 58 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 9: No. 3 South Florida 69, No. 6 Tulane 59 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Semifinals | Tuesday, March 11
Game 10: No. 9 Rice 67, No. 4 Temple 49
Game 11: No. 3 South Florida vs No. 2 North Texas – 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Final | Wednesday, March 12
Game 12: No. 9 Rice vs Game 11 Winner – 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT | ESPNU and ESPN+
