UAB defeats South Florida 79-68 with key 3-pointers

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Robert Brown scored a season-high 23 points and made four 3-pointers as UAB broke away and beat South Florida 79-68 on Saturday night, winning its fifth in a row.

The Blazers (8-3) opened up a close game on William Lee's 3-pointer with 5:30 left before halftime. It was one of seven treys in the opening half - four by Brown - and put UAB up by seven.

Ruben Guerrero scored to pull USF (3-9) within three once more, but Brown closed out the half with a 3-pointer and a left-handed floater at the halftime buzzer for a 44-34 lead. The Blazers maintained a double-digit lead through most of the second half.

Lee scored 11 points, Nick Norton added 10 and dished nine assists. UAB shot 52 percent and had 21 assists - its third straight game with 20 or more - on 29 baskets.

Angel Nunez scored 18 points for USF.