Collinsworth's 12th triple-double highlights BYU's NIT win

PROVO, Utah (AP) Chase Fischer scored 27 points with seven 3-pointers, Kyle Collinsworth posted his 12th career triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists and BYU beat UAB 97-79 on Wednesday night in the NIT first round.

It was the sixth time this season that Collinsworth has reached the feat, which equaled last season's total.

After UAB trailed by 21 at halftime, Robert Brown hit an off-balance 3-pointer and Chris Cokley converted a 3-point play, capping an 11-1 run, to pull the Blazers to 58-50. Brown made another 3 and on UAB's next possession, he converted a 3-point play to cut it to 63-59.

But BYU found its rhythm again and Fischer scored eight straight points for the Cougars, including two 3-pointers, for an 85-70 lead.

Freshman Nick Emery finished with 22 points for BYU (24-10), which will play Virginia Tech on Friday night. The Cougars made 13 of 30 3-point attempts and shot 55 percent overall.

On BYU's final possession of the first half, Collinsworth drove the lane and kicked it out to Emery for a 3-pointer and a 51-30 lead.

Brown scored 27 of his career-high 29 points in the second half for UAB (26-7).