Springfield, MO -- Tamarr Maclin scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Southwest Missouri State Bears to a 105-82 victory over the Rice Owls in the opening round of the NIT.

Blake Ahearn added 15 points for SMS (19-12), while Tyler Chaney contributed 13 points and dished out nine assists in the victory. Kellen Easley netted 12 points, while Anthony Shavies tallied 10 points for the Bears.

Michael Harris scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Rice (19-12), while Morris Almond contributed 14 points and Brock Gillespie chipped in 10 points in the setback.

Despite shooting just 36.1 percent from the field in the opening frame, the Bears took a 40-29 lead into the break.

Behind an impressive 66.7 percent shooting effort from the floor in the second half, SMS went on to post an easy 23-point victory.

The Bears connected on 9-of-19 shots from long range in the contest, while Rice netted just 5-of-16 shots from behind the arc.

With the victory, the Bears will move on to face VCU in the first round.