HOUSTON (AP)—Calvin Watson scored 26 points, including five of North Texas’ last six, for a 71-69 victory over Rice on Saturday.
After Rice (2-2) closed to within two with 51 seconds left, Watson hit a jumper and three free throws in the final 30 seconds.
Michael Sturns made one-of-two free throws with six seconds left to extend the Mean Green lead to 71-67 and seal the win.
The Mean Green had their biggest lead at 65-52 with 6:01 remaining following a Quincy Williams lay-up, but Rice went on an 11-0 run over the next 5:10 to close within two at 65-63 with 51 seconds left. Morris Almond scored seven in the run, and Paulius Packevicius capped the run with a lay-up.
North Texas (3-1) used a 17-4 run over a six-minute span in the second half to grab a 52-44 lead. Quincy Williams and Watson combined for 15 points on the run, and Sturns capped the run with a jumper with 11:27 left in the game.
Sturns finished with 21 points, and Williams added 11 for North Texas.
Morris Almond was the only Rice player in double-figures with 38 points.
The score was tied at halftime, 33-33.
