HOUSTON (AP) -Tamir Jackson scored 18 points - one of four Rice starters in double figures - and the Owls edged South Alabama 71-69 Saturday night in the Rice Basketball Challenge.

Connor Frizzelle had 17 points, Lawrence Ghoram finished with 14 and Lucas Kuipers added 11 for Rice (2-0).

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Martino Brock led the Jaguars (1-1) with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

The Owls led 38-27 at halftime and never trailed after that, but South Alabama tied the score twice late, the latter coming with 60 seconds remaining. A layup by Brock knotted the game at 65-65 and capped a 6-0 run by the Jaguars.

Rice answered with a 5-0 run of its own which proved to be just enough to preserve the victory.

Bryan Sherrer and Allyn Cooks each added 14 points for South Alabama.