Will Barton scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Memphis pulled away late to edge Alabama-Birmingham 62-59 Saturday night in the Conference USA opener for both teams.
There were 10 ties and 16 lead changes in the third annual Bartow Classic. Legendary coach Gene Bartow died last Tuesday at his home in Birmingham at age 81.
Adonis Thomas added 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field for the Tigers (10-5), who won their fourth straight game and 12th straight in the series against the Blazers.
UAB (5-9), which led 32-31 at halftime, took its last lead at 54-53 on an Ovie Soko jumper with 6:40 to go.
Memphis then used a 9-1 run, capped by a Barton layup with 1:55 remaining, to lead 62-55. After Jordan Swing's 3-pointer with 1:03 left got the Blazers within three, neither team scored again.
Cameron Moore scored 20 points to lead UAB.
