Tulane Defeats the Rice Owls

Didn't see this coming last season. Tulane basketball has improved to 11-3 after a gritty 85-81 win over a dangerous Rice Owls squad.

The Green Wave headed to Houston for a shootout in which the teams were locked within five points for virtually the entire game.

Down the stretch, solid free throw shooting helped the Green Wave maintain its lead over the surging Owls. Rice entered Conference USA play at 8-6.

With this victory, Tulane moves to 1-0 in the conference. Though Rice is not the most competitive team ahead for the Green Wave, the Owls were certainly a threat. Arsalan Kazemi, Rice's star power forward, averages a double-double on the season and earned player of the week honors with Tulane's Kendall Simmons last week.

Tulane will face off against SMU at home on the 8th.