MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) -- Shawn Jones scored four of his 22 points in overtime as Middle Tennessee opened its inaugural Conference USA season with an 89-84 victory Saturday night over Alabama-Birmingham.
Jones opened overtime with a dunk. UAB answered when Chad Frazier made a layup and a 3-pointer to put the Blazers ahead 82-79.
Middle Tennessee took an 84-82 lead when Neiko Hunter hit a 3-pointer and a layup with 2:40 remaining in overtime. The Blue Raiders then closed with a 5-2 run.
Middle Tennessee (11-5, 1-0) led 56-43 with 11:56 to play in the second half. UAB (11-4, 0-1) tied the game at 77 on a pair of Robert Williams' free throws with 35 seconds remaining.
Kerry Hammonds II missed a 3-point shot for Middle Tennessee with three seconds to play to send the game into overtime. He finished with five 3-pointers while scoring 17 points.
