HOUSTON -- C.J. Burks scored a career-high 36 points with six 3-pointers, Jon Elmore added 28 points, six assists and seven rebounds and Marshall defeated Rice 93-80 Thursday night.
Marshall (18-8, 9-4 Conference USA) led 42-40 at halftime after Rice closed on a 17-7 run. The Owls took a 53-51 lead five minutes into the second half on a Malik Osborne basket and led until Marshall's 7-0 run -- capped by a 3-pointer and a layup from Burks -- put the Thundering Herd up 77-75 with about seven minutes remaining.
Marshall led the rest of the way.