Louisiana Tech tops UAB on late free throws, 74-71

RUSTON, La. (AP) Alex Hamilton drilled a 3-pointer that gave Louisiana Tech a lead with under five minutes to play, then hit a pair of clutch free throws to clinch a 74-71 victory over Alabama-Birmingham in a Conference USA contest Thursday night.

The victory makes Louisiana Tech 4-0 in Conference USA play while UAB gets tagged with its first conference loss.

Tosin Mehinti dunked with 2:46 remaining to pull the Blazers into a 71-71 tie, but missed two shots to tie it, and Robert Brown missed a go-ahead 3-pointer with :09 left. Erik McCree added a free throw for Louisiana Tech to end it.

McCree led the Bulldogs (13-4, 4-0 Conference USA) with 26 points, knocking down four 3-pointers. Hamilton finished with 20 points on 6-7 shooting from the field.

Brown finished with 16 points for UAB (7-10, 3-1), with Chris Cokley adding another 11 and Denzell Watts chipping in 10.