Longhorns finish non-conference 10-3

AUSTIN - J'Covan Brown scored 23 points as the Longhorns won their 10th game of the year, beating Rice 73-59. The win over the Owls was the Longhorns' final non-conference game before the team begins Big 12 play on January 4 against Iowa State.

Rice cut the Longhorns' lead to two points in the second half when Connor Frizelle had a layin and hit a free throw to make the score 42-40. Brown said he expected a close game.

"It was a good test," he said. "Every time we play Rice, and they get down they always find a way to keep pushing it, and that's what you like to see from teams, to see where we're at. You just have to know teams are going to make a run because it's basketball. When they make a run, we've just got to stay together and keep working through it."

Sheldon McClellan chipped in 19 points. The Longhorns finished their non-conference slate 10-3.