HOUSTON, Tex. (AP) -- Max Guercy and Austin Ramljak led Rice to a 69-60 victory over St. Thomas Saturday.
Guercy was steady at the free throw line as he hit 12 of 14 attempts, totaling 17 points. Ramljak was 5 for 11 from the field, nailing three 3-pointers for 16 points. Marcus Jackson also came off the bench for Rice to add 12 points and 5 assists.
Sean Edwards (19 points) and Deric Dudley (18) sparked St. Thomas.
The Owls opened a 21-point lead midway of the second half. St. Thomas refused to buckle as the Celts chipped away at the lead until they had pulled within 5, only trailing 61-56 with 3:35 remaining in the game.
Two layups by Sean Obi put Rice ahead 66-56 with 2:15 remaining. Guercy made three consecutive free throws in the closing seconds to hold on to the lead.
