March 1, 2008

Box Score

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Pauline Love connected on two free throws with 6.9 seconds, helping Southern Miss get past UAB, 76-73, in the season finale Saturday and clinching the No. 5 seed headed into the Conference USA Tournament, Mar. 6-9, in Orlando, Fla.

Southern Miss concludes the regular season at 17-12, 8-8. Love recorded her 19th double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kendra Reed led all scorers with a game-high 24 points.

Britney Jones led UAB (14-15, 10-6) with 23 points followed by Amanda Scott with 14 points off the bench and Diamond Rogers chipped in 12.

"I thought our team kept their composure down the stretch," coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. "We made our free throws and we didn't turn the ball over. We were able to control the boards as well."

UAB led by as many as six points in the first half, but Southern Miss was able to take the lead on an 11-3 run. It was a lead the Lady Eagles would not relinquish. Southern Miss pushed its lead to 12 points, 26-14, at the 8:11 mark in the first half. UAB battled back, cutting the lead to four at the 1:48 mark. USM led 39-32 at the half.

Southern Miss continued to lead throughout the second half, however, UAB fought back behind the shooting of Jones and got within a point, 72-71 with 22 seconds remaining in the game.

Love was able to secure the win on four-straight free throws.

Southern Miss heads into the Conference USA Tournament seeded No. 5 and will play host UCF in the first round Thursday. The time is yet to be determined.