Huntington, WV (Sports Network) - Elijah Pittman made a clutch free-throw with 17 seconds remaining to put it out of reach as the Marshall Thundering Herd held on to defeat the Rice Owls, 71-70, in Conference USA action at the Cam Henderson Center.

Pittman recorded a game-high 22 points and six rebounds for the Thundering Herd (11-14, 4-6 C-USA). D.D. Scarver added 17 points, while Dennis Tinnon contributed 11 points and seven boards. Nigel Spikes chipped in 10 points and five rebounds. DeAndre Kane dealt out 10 assists to help Marshall snap a two-game losing slide.

For the Owls (5-19, 1-9), Tamir Jackson contributed a team-high 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. Austin Ramljak added 15 points and seven boards. Max Guercy recorded 12 points. Julian DeBose and Keith Washington chipped in 10 points apiece as Rice lost for the fourth time in row.

The first half ended with both teams even at 33-33. Rice made 5-of-14 from long range, while Marshall made 4-of-13 from beyond the arc to stay neck and neck.

Marshall held a three-point lead with 26 seconds remaining before Pittman made one free-throw to extend the Thundering Herd's edge on the scoreboard to four. DeBose hit a 3-pointer for the Owls with one second remaining, but they ran out of time before they could regain the lead

Rice committed 20 personal fouls allowing Marshall to outscore it, 18-7, at the charity stripe. The very closely contested matchup featured 21 lead changes and 11 ties.

GAME NOTES:

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