Stanford steams Rice with comeback win

HOUSTON (AP) -- Rob Little and Chris Hernandez scored 17 points to lead No. 20 Stanford to a 60-56 victory over Rice on Sunday.

The Cardinal rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit, outscoring Rice 38-28 in the second half for their third straight win.

Jason McKrieth scored 14 points for Rice (3-1). Brock Gillespie added 13 points and Michael Harris finished with eight points and nine rebounds.

Stanford was again without preseason All-American Josh Childress, who is sidelined with a stress fracture in his left foot.

The Cardinal rallied from a 31-22 deficit early in the second half. Hernandez made a 3-pointer and Little made three straight baskets as Stanford closed within a point, 33-32.

Robinson then converted a three-point play to give Stanford its first lead at 35-33.

Hernandez, held to two points in the first half, made two 3-pointers, five free throws and two 2-point baskets in the second half.

Little shot 7-for-11 from the field and 3-for-4 from the line as the Cardinal pulled away.

Rice shot just 13-for-25 from the line, while Stanford converted 14 of 19 free-throw attempts.

Stanford led 56-54 with 1:29 remaining and used four free throws by Hernandez to seal the win.

The Cardinal has never lost to Rice, winning eight straight in the series, including coach Mike Montgomery's first win at the school in 1986.