GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Rice defeated East Carolina 83-77 in an American Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Williams Arena.

The teams were tied 33-33 at halftime before the Owls pulled away in the second half. Rice’s offense proved more efficient, shooting 49.1% from the field and hitting 12 3-pointers. East Carolina shot 41.7% overall and was just 4 of 19 from beyond the arc.

Jordan Riley led all scorers with 37 points for East Carolina. Rice countered with a balanced attack as Jalen Smith scored 21 points, Nick Anderson added 19 and Trae Broadnax had 16.

Rice improved to 9-12 overall. East Carolina fell to 6-15. An announced crowd of 4,107 attended.