Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Erik McCree scored 13 points and pulled down eight rebounds as the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defeated the Rice Owls, 58-45, in a Conference USA tilt at Tudor Fieldhouse.

Alex Hamilton added 13 points for the Bulldogs (15-5, 6-1 C-USA). Raheem Appleby contributed 10 points and Kenneth Smith handed out nine assists as Louisiana Tech won for the seventh time in eight tries.

As for the Owls, (6-12, 3-4), Seth Gearhart scored 16 points and Marcus Jackson added 12 in the loss.

The Owls shot 34.6 percent from the field and 4-of-14 from beyond the arc in the first half. The Bulldogs connected on 43.5 percent from the field and used a 10-0 run to take a 28-24 lead at the break.

In the second half Rice made a total of just five field goals on 17 attempts, allowing the Bulldogs to pull away for the comfortable victory.

Louisiana Tech outscored Rice 28-12 in the paint and scored 19 points off 18 turnovers by the host.