HOUSTON (AP) — Tamir Jackson scored a career-high 29 points and Arsalan Kazemi had his 29th career double-double Thursday night as Rice defeated Southern 80-65 in the South Padre Island Invitational.
Jackson had 17 first-half points as the Owls (2-0) jumped to a 46-39 lead. After Southern (0-2) rallied to come within 55-53 with 11:49 remaining in the game, Jackson hit two 3-pointers and two free throws during a 10-0 run that secured the game.
Overall, Jackson was 9 for 13 from the field, including 4 of 5 on 3-point attempts, and had four assists and three steals.
Kazemi finished with 10 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Dylan Ennis added 14 points off the bench for Rice, which had only nine turnovers after committing 25 in a season-opening victory over New Orleans.
Quinton Doggett had 18 points and eight rebounds for Southern (1-2). Derick Beltran added 14 points.
