HOUSTON (AP) – Egor Koulechov scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as Rice beat Southern Mississippi 72-65 on Saturday night.

Koulechov was 7 of 15 from the field including five from distance for the Owls (8-15, 3-7 Conference USA). Marcus Evans added 23 points and was 11 of 12 from the foul line. The team hit 44 percent from the field overall and 91 percent from the line.

Koulechov hit a 3-pointer to cap a 13-7 start for Rice. Southern Mississippi finished the period on an 8-3 run to lead 28-27 at the break.

Evans dunked and Koulechov sank back-to-back 3-pointers as part of a 16-5 surge to open the second half and the Owls were up 43-33 with 15:13 to go. Rice led the rest of the way.

Keljin Blevins scored 14 points for the Golden Eagles (7-14, 4-6). Quinton Campbell and Raheem Watts added 11 points apiece.