UAB 61, Rice 60

Published Jan. 18, 2012 11:08 p.m. ET

foxsports

Robert Williams hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime and Alabama-Birmingham rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to defeat Rice 61-60 on Wednesday night.

Williams' game-winner came after Connor Frizelle's 3-pointer had given Rice a 60-58 lead with 8 seconds left. Frizelle, who scored 17 points, had eight of the Owls' nine points in overtime.

Cameron Moore led UAB (6-11, 1-3 Conference USA) with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Preston Purifoy added 18 points for the Blazers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Dylan Ennis scored 13 points for the Owls (11-8, 2-2), including a layup with 36 seconds left in regulation that tied the game at 51 and forced overtime.

Rice led 39-22 early in the second half and was still ahead 47-37 with 9:15 left in the game. But the Blazers scored 11 straight points to take the lead and were ahead 51-49 before Ennis' game-tying shot.