ESPN Men's Basketball

HOUSTON -- Five players were in double-figures Wednesday night for Rice with Tamir Jackson leading the way, recording a double-double by scoring 12 points and pulling 15 rebounds in a 75-63 victory over St. Edward's.

Max Guercy led Rice (1-1) with 17 points, Seth Gearhart had 15, and Keith Washington and Ross Wilson each had 10. The key to victory for the Owles came at the free-throw line, making 30 of 39 while St. Edward's shot only 10, making six.

Despite their disadvantage at the line, the Hilltoppers (3-2) made it a 4-point game when Shimeek Johnson hit a 3-pointer with 8:34 remaining, making it 50-46, but Rice went on an 11-3 run over the next three minutes capped off by Gearhart's lay-in to make it 61-49 and the Owls never looked back. The Owls hit 10 of 12 free throws in the final 2:17 to seal the deal.