HOUSTON (Interstat) — Miles Barnstable scored 21 points as Tulsa held off a furious Rice rally for an 87-81 victory in American Athletic Conference men’s basketball Saturday at Tudor Fieldhouse.

The Golden Hurricane built a 20-point halftime lead behind 51 first-half points but had to withstand a 50-point second-half surge from the Owls. Tulsa improved to 17-3 overall, while Rice fell to 8-12.

Barnstable keyed the early outburst for Tulsa, which shot 44% from 3-point range. Jalen Smith led all scorers with 24 points for Rice, and teammate Trae Broadnax added 21. The Golden Hurricane sealed the win at the free-throw line, making 22 of 28 attempts compared to Rice’s 9 of 14. Attendance was 1,254.