HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Elijah Pittman scored 22 points to lead Marshall over Conference USA-foe Rice 71-70 Wednesday night.

Marshall (11-14, 4-6) entered having lost two straight and five of six. Pittman was 7-of-10 shooting and made three 3-pointers. D.D. Scarver hit four treys en route to 17 points, while Dennis Tinnon had 11 points and Nigel Spikes 10.

DeAndre Kane, ranked sixth in the NCAA averaging 7.2 assists entering Wednesday, had 10 helpers for the Thundering Herd.

Spikes hit two free throws to put Marshall ahead 62-61 with 3:35 left and added two more foul shots 36 seconds later for a decisive 64-61 lead.

Rice's Julian DeBose hit a 3 to make it 71-70 with 1 second left, but the Owls (5-19, 1-9) couldn't get the ball back for another shot.

Tamir Jackson led Rice with 16 points as the Owls dropped their fourth straight.

Marshall held a 31-25 advantage in rebounds.