MIAMI (AP) Rakeem Buckles had 21 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks to lead Florida International past UAB, 78-73 Thursday night.
FIU snapped a two-game losing skid while winning its third straight at home. Buckles had his 10th double-double of the season.
Down 60-56 with about 5 minutes to play, Buckles' tip sparked a 13-2 run to give the Panthers a 69-62 lead with 2:24 remaining. C.J. Washington hit a 3-poointer to pull UAB to 69-65. Jerome Fink and Tymell Murphy both scored, and FIU made five of six free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Murphy scored 16 points for FIU (12-11, 4-4 Conference USA), while Dennis Mavin added 14 for the second game in a row. Fink finished with 13 points.
Chad Frazier scored 23 points and had five assists to lead UAB (14-8, 3-5 Conference USA). Washington scored 19 points, and Fahro Alihodzic added 10.
