Arsalan Kazemi scored 11 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, Julian DeBose added another 12 points, and Rice never trailed in an 83-49 win over New Orleans on Saturday in the Owls' season opener.
Kazemi, the only Conference USA player to average double figures in points and rebounds last season, picked up where he left off. He added three blocks and two steals in limited minutes, as the Owls sat their starters for much of the second half with the game in hand.
Lucas Kuipers chipped in six points and 10 rebounds, and Rice shot 54 percent from the field, including 6 for 10 from 3-point range.
Generra Varmall led the Privateers (0-2) with 12 points. Lovell Cook scored 10, but the entire team struggled to make baskets, shooting just 24 percent from the field.
Rice led 36-23 at halftime and kept pouring it on in the second half.
