King carries Middle Tennessee past UAB in C-USA opener 63-60
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Nick King took over and scored 19 of Middle Tennessee's 21 points in the final 11 minutes of the game and the Blue Raiders knocked off UAB in a battle of Conference USA preseason favorites Saturday, 63-60.
Giddy Potts hit a 3-pointer with 13:19 left to give Middle Tennessee a 42-37 lead and Zack Bryant answered with a 3-point play that got the Blazers within two, 42-40.
And then King took over.
He tied the tied the game twice after UAB grabbed leads, then put the Raiders up for good with a 3-point play that made it 52-49 and closed the game out by scoring the team's final nine straight points.
King was 11 of 16 from the floor and 6-for-6 shooting from the line to score 30 points and Potts finished with 19 for Middle Tennessee (9-4, 1-0).
Bryant finished with 15 points to lead UAB (9-5, 0-1). William Lee added 12 points, and Chris Cokley and Nick Norton each added 11.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Kerry Sitton
- Craig Murley
- Gary Maxwell
2023-24 Conference USA Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Sam Houston | 13-3 | - | 21-12 |
Louisiana Tech | 12-4 | 1 | 22-10 |
Western Kentucky | 8-8 | 5 | 22-12 |
Liberty | 7-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
UTEP | 7-9 | 6 | 18-16 |
Middle Tennessee | 7-9 | 6 | 14-19 |
New Mexico State | 7-9 | 6 | 13-19 |
Jacksonville State | 6-10 | 7 | 14-18 |
Florida International | 5-11 | 8 | 11-22 |
2023-24 American Athletic Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
South Florida | 16-2 | - | 25-8 |
Florida Atlantic | 14-4 | 2 | 25-9 |
Charlotte | 13-5 | 3 | 19-12 |
UAB | 12-6 | 4 | 23-12 |
Memphis | 11-7 | 5 | 22-10 |
SMU | 11-7 | 5 | 20-13 |
North Texas | 10-8 | 6 | 19-15 |
Tulsa | 7-11 | 9 | 16-15 |
East Carolina | 7-11 | 9 | 15-18 |
Tulane | 5-13 | 11 | 14-17 |
Temple | 5-13 | 11 | 16-20 |
Wichita State | 5-13 | 11 | 15-19 |
UTSA | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |
Rice | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |