UAB 66, Middle Tennessee 56

Jordan Swing scored 15 points and Alabama-Birmingham's defense held Middle Tennessee, the top shooting team in the nation, in check for a 66-56 win Wednesday night. The Blazers (2-6) snapped the Blue Raiders' four-game winning streak and their own four-game skid. Middle Tennessee (8-2), which averaged 53.7 percent from the field, managed only 27.3 percent (6 of 22) in the first half. The Blue Raiders were scoreless for 9:06 during a 14-0 UAB run, with the Blazers shooting 54.5 percent (12 of 22) to lead 32-20 at halftime. Middle Tennessee, which improved to 51.7 percent in the second half (21 of 51), got within a point, at 37-36 with 14:03 to go. UAB then reeled off a 5-0 run. Ovie Soko had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Blazers, while Preston Purifoy had 12 points and Cameron Moore 11. Marcos Knight led Middle Tennessee with 16 points.