TULSA, Okla. – Jordan Swing scored 17 points, including a layup with 9 seconds to play, and UAB beat SMU 53-52 in the opener of the Conference USA tournament on Wednesday.
Swing had a team-high nine rebounds and was 7 of 13 from the field for the game. Rod Rucker had 11 points.
UAB was up 32-23 at halftime and led until Brian Bernardi hit two free throws to put the Mustangs up 52-51 with 29 seconds remaining. Swing's layup put the Blazers (16-16) back on top. No. 10 seed SMU missed a jumper with a second to play.
Jalen Jones led SMU (15-17) with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Cannen Cunningham had 11 points.
No. 7 seed UAB will play No. 2 seed Southern Mississippi on Thursday in the quarterfinals.
Head coach Larry Brown, who is the only coach to win an NCAA and NBA title, ends his first season at SMU.
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