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UAB defeats Middle Tennessee 65-64

Dec 3, 2009 - 4:05 AM BIRMINGHAM, Ala.(AP) -- Howard Crawford scored 12 points and Alabama-Birmingham held off Middle Tennessee down the stretch for a 65-64 victory on Wednesday night.

The Blazers (7-1) won their sixth consecutive game by outscoring the Blue Raiders 6-5 in the last 34 seconds after the teams were tied at 59.

George Drake hit two free throws and Crawford scored on a layup for a 64-59 lead with 17 seconds left. Middle Tennessee's Theryn Hudson dunked to cut the lead to 64-61 before Aaron Johnson hit a foul shot for a 65-61 advantage with 10 seconds to play.

James Washington nailed a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left, ending the scoring.

UAB, which is off to its best start since the 1998-99 team was 7-1, was 12-for-21 (57.1 percent) in the second half.

Drake and Kenneth Cooper added 11 points each for the Blazers.

Montarrio Haddock led Middle Tennessee (3-4) with 17 points and Hudson had 12.