Freshman Jhivvan Jackson scored 20 points Thursday night, lifting UTSA to a 79-66 victory over the Rice Owls at the Convocation Center.

In the Conference USA-opener for both teams, UTSA (8-6) broke open a close game with a 17-3 outburst over a five-minute span early in the second half.

Rice (3-11) fell behind by 21 at the end of the Roadrunners’ scoring spree and never really recovered.

A season-high crowd of 1,163 watched as UTSA hit 12 3-point baskets, the fifth game in a row that the team has made 10 or more.