HOUSTON -- Chris Anderson scored 17 points and Jaron Johnson added 16 as Louisiana Tech grabbed a piece of the Conference USA title with a 70-48 victory over Rice on Thursday night.

Alex Hamilton chipped in 11 points and Kenneth Smith added nine assists for the Bulldogs (25-6, 13-3), who share the top-spot in the Conference USA with Middle Tennessee and Southern Miss.

Louisiana Tech was ahead by seven at the half, but Rice went over 5 minutes in the second without a basket. Louisiana Tech took advantage of the Owls' dry spell with a 13-0 run that broke open the Bulldogs' lead, putting them up by 22 points and ahead for good.

Sean Obi (12) and Keith Washington (11) came off the bench to lead Rice in scoring. The Owls (7-22, 2-14) shot just 3 of 11 (27.3 percent) from the free-throw line and finished with 12 turnovers.