John Allen and Andre Sweet had 13 points apiece for the Pirates, who shot a robust 54.4 percent.
"A couple of years ago, the program was in shambles," the junior forward Andre Sweet said.
The drought ended with 15 minutes 3 seconds left in the first half, when Andre Sweet hit a short bank shot.
And Rice's other starting forward, Andre Sweet, is reportedly being courted by Duke.
Forward Andre Sweet scored 10 of his 24 points in that run.
Seton Hall's Andre Sweet, one of the Pirates' best offensive players, played only seven minutes in the first half.
Seton Hall, which was also sputtering on offense, stretched its lead to 55-47 on two free throws by Andre Sweet with 3:20 left.
But led by the reserve forward Andre Sweet, the Pirates went on a 13-1 run.
Allen has averaged 20 points in the span and the swingman Andre Sweet has emerged as one of the league's best sixth men.
Andre Sweet led Seton Hall with 15 points.