HOUSTON -- Pablo Bertone scored 20 points and had seven assists as Florida Atlantic edged Rice 73-68 in Conference USA play Saturday night.

Florida Atlantic (5-11, 1-1) earned its first road win, erasing a first half deficit and holding on late against Rice (5-10, 0-2).

Bertone opened the second half with five unanswered points to tie the game at 30, and Florida Atlantic went up by as many as 10 points later in the half.

A 17-8 run with under 6 minutes left brought Rice within 69-68 with 24 seconds remaining, but Florida Atlantic made all four free throw attempts in the final 19 seconds to preserve the win.

Marquan Botley had 19 points for Florida Atlantic. Jackson Trapp scored 14 while Justin Raffington posted 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Austin Ramljak had 14 points for Rice and Sean Obi also scored 14 to go along with 10 rebounds.