Crawford scores 17 points as UAB exploits free throw advantage to beat Southern Miss 59-54

UAB’s free throw edge beats Southern Miss 59-54

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Howard Crawford led all scorers with 17 points and Alabama-Birmingham defeated Southern Mississippi 59-54 on Wednesday night.

The Blazers (20-5, 8-3 Conference USA) used an 8-3 run in the final 2 minutes to put the Eagles (15-10, 5-6) away for the fifth straight time and tie Tulsa for third in the conference.

Southern Miss led 22-21 at halftime and there were seven ties in the second half before the Blazers went ahead to stay on a pair of free throws by Crawford that made it 53-51 with 2:41 remaining.

Two more free throws by Crawford, two by Elijah Millsap and one by Aaron Johnson made it 58-51.

UAB shot 15-for-22 on free throws in the second half to Southern Miss’ 8-for-13.

Jamarr Sanders added 14 points and Millsap 13 for UAB.

R.L. Horton led Southern Miss with 14 points and scored his 1,000th collegiate point on a 3-point shot to open the game.