Jeremiah Samarrippas scored eight points in overtime, including the go-ahead 3-pointer, to boost SMU over Rice 76-66 on Wednesday night.
Samarrippas finished with 10 points as the Mustangs (17-10, 8-5 Conference USA) won the seventh of their last nine games.
Robert Nyakundi scored a game-high 26 points for SMU while Papa Dia added 20 and Mike Walker 10.
The Mustangs were ahead by 11 points with 2:15 left in regulation when the Owls (12-15, 4-9) began to rally.
Rice went on an 18-7 splurge with Lucas Kuipers hitting two 3-pointers and Cory Pflieger and Connor Frizzelle making one apiece.
Arsalan Kazemi capped the rally and sent the game to overtime on a pair of free throws with two seconds left.
It wasn't enough. SMU went on to carry overtime 19-9.
Tamir Jackson led Rice with 22 points while Kuipers scored 16 and Frizzelle 15.
