HOUSTON -- Marcus Evans and Egor Koulechov had 23 points each and Rice held a double-digit lead through the final seven minutes on Saturday night to beat Charlotte 84-67.
The Owls (14-8, 4-5 Conference USA) never trailed after an early 14-0 run for a 19-8 lead, but the 49ers (10-10, 4-5) kept it from expanding until Koulechov's 3-point play with 6:30 left made it 68-54.
Connor Cashaw added as season-high 17 points for Rice, which made 8 of 18 from 3-point range and 31 of 56 from the field.
Jon Davis had 21 points to lead Charlotte.