MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mekhi Mason led Rice with 17 points and Travis Evee secured the victory with a 3-pointer with 48 seconds left as the Owls took down Memphis 74-71 on Wednesday night.
Keanu Dawes added two free throws following Evee's 3 to stretch Rice's lead to 70-65 with 28 seconds remaining. Memphis pulled to 71-69 on Jahvon Quinerly's jumper with nine seconds left. Dawes sealed it with two free throws.
Mason shot 7 for 10, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc for the Owls (8-13, 2-6 American Athletic Conference). Dawes was 3-of-5 shooting, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 7 for 10 from the line to add 15 points. Anthony Selden had 14 points and shot 5 of 12 from the field and 4 for 6 from the line.
David Jones led the way for the Tigers (15-6, 4-4) with 18 points and four steals. Memphis also got 14 points, two steals and two blocks from Malcolm Dandridge. Jaykwon Walton also had 12 points and two steals.
Dawes put up nine points in the first half for Rice, who led 33-22 at the break. Mason scored a team-high 15 points for Rice in the second half