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TCU pulls away early in 70-58 victory over Rice

Jan 3, 2010 - 3:29 AM FORT WORTH, Texas(AP) -- Kevin Butler scored 18 points and TCU pulled away from Rice early in a 70-58 victory Saturday night.

Nikola Cerina added 15 points, Zvonko Buljan 12 and Xavier Roberson 11 for the Horned Frogs (7-7). Butler and Cerina were a combined 14 of 16 from the field.

Arsalan Kazemi finished with 14 points for the Owls. He was their only player in double figures.

With the game tied 5-all, TCU scored eight straight points for a 13-5 advantage with 15:18 remaining in the first half. A 3-pointer by Edvinas Ruzgas pushed the Horned Frogs' lead to double digits, 20-9, with 12:47 left, and they led 37-28 at halftime.

TCU scored the first eight points of the second half, and Rice didn't get closer than 12 the rest of the way.