Late Three Lifts UAB Over SMU 50-46

{fshare id=2244}

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (SMU) – With two seconds on the shot clock and 12.6 on the game clock, Amber Jones hit a 25-foot 3-pointer to give UAB a 50-46 win over SMU in Bartow Arena Thursday night. The Mustangs (12-13, 5-7 Conference USA) had a chance to take the lead on the previous possession, but Akil Simpson’s shot attempt over a double team rolled off the rim. Samantha Mahnesmith tied up the rebound, but the possession arrow favored the Blazers (18-6, 9-2 C-USA).

Alisha Filmore led the Mustangs with 14 points and was 2-of-4 from 3-point range, and Mahnesmith had 11 points and six rebounds. Simpson finished with nine points and six rebounds. The Mustangs finished the game shooting 42.5-percent from the field and went 7-of-8 from the free throw line.

The Mustangs held UAB to just five field goals in the second half, 5-of-24, but the Blazers hit four 3-pointers and went 5-of-6 from the charity stripe in the last 20 minutes to take the win. SMU opened the half out-scoring UAB 11-4 to erase a seven-point halftime deficit, but the UAB defense, ranked first in Conference USA in scoring defense, won out down the stretch.

Mahnesmith scored eight points in the first half, hitting two of her first three 3-point attempts, including one during a 9-0 SMU run to help the Mustangs take their first lead of the game, 9-8 with 14:37 left in the first half. SMU opened the game just 1-of-5 from the floor, but connected on seven of its last 15 to finish the half shooting 40.0-percent.

The Blazers shot 58.3-percent in the first half to take a 31-24 lead at the break. The SMU defense forced UAB into a pair of shot clock violations and had three steals, but the Blazers were out-scoring the Mustangs off turnovers 13-5 in the first half.

The Mustangs host Rice on Sunday at 12 p.m. The game will air live on the Fox Sports Network, and fans are asked to wear white to “White Out” Moody Coliseum.