HOUSTON -- C.J. Burks scored a career-high 36 points with six 3-pointers, Jon Elmore added 28 points, six assists and seven rebounds and Marshall defeated Rice 93-80 Thursday night.

Marshall (18-8, 9-4 Conference USA) led 42-40 at halftime after Rice closed on a 17-7 run. The Owls took a 53-51 lead five minutes into the second half on a Malik Osborne basket and led until Marshall's 7-0 run -- capped by a 3-pointer and a layup from Burks -- put the Thundering Herd up 77-75 with about seven minutes remaining.

Marshall led the rest of the way. Ajdin Penava added 14 points for the Herd, which shot 57 percent from the floor (34 of 60), including 13 of 24 from distance (54 percent).

Connor Cashaw led Rice (5-21, 2-11) with 24 points, while Osborne added 22 points with 13 rebounds.