UAB upsets Louisiana Tech in OT, advances in C-USA tourney

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) Tosin Mehinti scored 12, including five in overtime, and grabbed 10 rebounds, Robert Brown had 14 points and five assists and No. 4 seed UAB upset top-seeded Louisiana Tech 72-62 in the semifinals of the Conference USA tournament on Friday night.

William Lee and Chris Cokley scored 10 apiece and Hakeem Baxter had nine points and nine rebounds for UAB (18-15), which will take on sixth-seeded Middle Tennessee in the championship game on Saturday.

Baxter's three-point play gave UAB a 61-58 lead 26 seconds into overtime and, after Michale Kyser's layup pulled the Bulldogs within one with 4:02 remaining, Mehinti scored four straight, sparking an 11-2 run to close the game.

C.J. Washington's 3-pointer with 5:26 left in regulation gave the Blazers a 58-47 lead, but Louisiana Tech (25-8) scored the final 11 points to force overtime.

Kenneth Smith led Louisiana Tech with 13 points, on 6-of-17 shooting. The Bulldogs shot just 36.4 percent and made 3 of 24 from 3-point range.