BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Aaron Johnson scored 19 points and Alabama-Birmingham overcame a 10-point deficit late in the second half to defeat Marshall 60-56 on Wednesday night.
After the Blazers (14-5, 4-2 Conference USA) rallied from nine points down in the first half to tie it at 21, Marshall went on a 9-4 run for a 30-26 halftime lead.
The Thundering Herd (13-7, 1-4) built a 48-38 lead with 7:14 to go, then UAB used a 16-1 spurt to pull ahead 54-49 with 58 seconds left.
Leading 56-53 with 15 seconds on the clock, Johnson and Quincy Taylor each sank a pair of free throws for a seven-point advantage. Marshall's DeAndre Kane hit his only 3-pointer of the game for the final margin.
Jamarr Sanders scored 15 points, Cameron Moore had nine points and 12 rebounds and Ovie Soko added 10 boards for UAB.
Dago Pena had 14 points and Kane chipped in 13 to pace the Thundering Herd.
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