BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Robert Brown scored 22 points and made four 3-pointers to lead UAB to a 73-60 victory over Middle Tennessee Saturday for the Blazers' first Conference USA Tournament championship.
The Blazers (19-15) earned their first NCAA Tournament trip since 2011 with a team largely built on underclassmen and without a first- or second-team all-conference pick.
Middle Tennesssee (19-16) never made much of a dent in UAB's 11-point halftime lead, which the Blazers eventually doubled.
UAB hit 64 percent from the floor (14 of 22) in the second half and finished with nine 3-pointers.
Brown made half of his eight 3-point attempts. Freshman William Lee was 6-of-8 shooting for 13 points.
Jaqawn Raymond led Middle Tennessee with 12 points. The Blue Raiders scored the game's final eight points after falling behind by as many as 22 points.
