Jackson leads Rice past Houston Baptist

HOUSTON (AP) -- Tamir Jackson had 11 points, 12 rebounds, six steals and four assists as Rice defeated Houston Baptist 61-53 Saturday night.

The Owls (2-5), who have never lost in seven career meetings with Houston Baptist, jumped out to a 22-4 lead midway through the first half. The Huskies (3-4) did not get their first points until Art Bernardi hit a jumper nearly six minutes into the game.

Houston Baptist got within 36-34 with 12:22 left in the game on a 3-pointer by Marcus Davis. But Rice extended the lead back to eight with a free throw and a 3-pointer from Max Guercy, and a basket by Austin Ramljak to make it 42-34 with 8:42 left.

Ramljak scored 12 points for the Owls and Guercy had 11.

Bernardi had 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Huskies, who committed 22 turnovers. Tyler Russell also had 15 points and Marcel Smith had 10.