HOUSTON (AP)—Arsalan Kazemi finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Rice rallied in the second half for a 75-62 victory over McNeese State on Tuesday night.
Tamir Jackson had a team-high 18 points and Connor Frizzelle added 17 for the Owls (6-6), who trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half and 41-38 at intermission.
Diego Kapelan hit 8 3-pointers and scored 31 points for the Cowboys (5-7). No other McNeese State player scored in double figures. P.J. Alawoya and Elbryaneach Neal each grabbed 10 rebounds.
After Kapelan opened the second half with a 3, Rice responded with a 10-1 run that gave them a 48-45 advantage with 16:40 to play. The Owls led the rest of the way and extended their lead to as much as 16.
The game stayed close early until McNeese State put together a 13-3 run for a 27-17 lead with 7:40 left in the first half.
