By GREG MENGELT

HOUSTON — In Middle Tennessee’s first game in 15 days, senior Josh Jefferson scored a team-high 13 points but the Blue Raiders dropped a 65-61 contest on the road at Rice on Wednesday.

Jefferson, a former New Albany star, was 5 for 14 from the field and made three of his nine 3-point attempts in the loss. He also had three assists and a rebound.

The Raiders led most of the contest and held a 46-45 lead with 9:28 to go. The Owls went on a 10-0 run before Jefferson’s 3 with 5:23 remaining slowed Rice’s momentum.

A dunk by Middle Tennessee freshman guard Teafale Lenard pulled the Raiders to within a point with 51 seconds left, but Rice’s Chris Mullins and Quincy Olivari hit clutch free throws and Jefferson missed a 3 attempt with 19 seconds remaining.

Jefferson shared team-high honors with sophomore guard Eli Lawrence, who finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist. Junior forward Deandre Dishman contributed 12 points and 6 boards.

Senior Carl Pierre had a game-best 19 points for the Owls, who have now won four of their last five games.

Middle Tennessee, which had won five of its last six coming into the Rice game, is now 8-3 on the season. The Raiders face defending Conference USA champion North Texas (8-4, 1-1 C-USA) at 6 p.m. Saturday.