SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Marquin Chandler scored a career-high 33 points and added 11 rebounds to help San Jose State overcome a halftime deficit and beat Rice 90-85 on Saturday.
Michael McFadden added 17 points as the Spartans (6-12, 3-6 Western Athletic Conference) won back-to-back conference games for the first time in more than three years and produced their biggest offensive output of the season. Matt Misko and Alex Elem each had 12 points, while Elam added 10 assists for his first double-double.
Michael Harris had 24 points and 17 rebounds, one off his career high, for the Owls (10-7, 5-4), who lost their season-high third straight. Jason McKreith added 19 points, while Morris Almond had 14.
Brock Gillespie, who finished with 11 points, made three 3-pointers to move into fourth place on Rice's career list with 154.
Chandler's performance was the best by a Spartan since Brandon Hawkins scored 34 on Dec. 27, 2001. It also was his eighth double-double. Harris is the WAC leader with 12 double-doubles this season. He has 45 overall.
McFadden's jumper just over five minutes into the second half completed a 13-4 run that brought the Spartans even at 49.
The game remained close until Chandler, who was 14-of-23 from the field, sparked an 11-0 run that gave San Jose State a 76-66 lead with 5:38 left. The Owls cut the lead to three in the final 32 seconds but could get no closer.
Rice went on a 17-4 run midway through the first half to take a 25-16 lead.
The Owls lead the WAC in field goal percentage and shot more than 62 percent. They held a 12-point advantage before Chandler's 3-pointer at the buzzer brought San Jose State within 45-36 at halftime.
