SAN ANTONIO (AP) Jordan Sims scored 21 points including 5-of-7 3-pointers as UT-San Antonio had no problem getting past Rice 89-76 on Thursday night.
Phillip Jones added 16 points with 11 rebounds and Edrico McGregor scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Texas-San Antonio (7-12, 3-3 Conference USA).
UTSA led 51-39 at the break and trailed only briefly, 6-5, in the first half.
A technical foul by Rice's Seth Gearhart appeared to motivate the Owls in narrowing the gap to 74-68 with 5 minutes left but UTSA hit 7 of 11 free throws down the stretch to squelch the Owls' hopes.
The Roadrunners amassed 12 steals and outscored Rice 24-10 from the free throw line.
Keith Washington led Rice with 20 points. Sean Obi added 19 points and logged 10 rebounds. Rice (6-14, 1-6) has lost 9 of 10 games and sits next to the bottom in conference standings.
