Katy, TX -- (Sports Network) - Papa Dia tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead the SMU Mustangs to a 61-58 win over the Rice Owls in a Conference USA showdown at the Merrell Center.

Bamba Fall added 14 points for the Mustangs (10-19, 4-12 CUSA), who won their first conference road game of the season. Derrick Roberts netted 12 points in the victory.

Lawrence Ghoram paced the Owls (3-26, 0-16) with 17 points, while Patrick Britton added 16 in a losing effort.

SMU jumped out to an early lead, shooting 10-of-24 from the floor in the first half, to take a 28-15 lead at the break.

The Mustangs were able to hold off a late second-half surge from Rice, knocking down 10-of-13 free-throws to secure the three-point victory.

SMU owned the post, outscoring Rice 28-14 in the paint.