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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Senior guard Jesus Verdejo's game-high 26 points were not enough as UAB's Paul Delaney hit two free throws with 14.5 seconds left in overtime to give the University of Alabama-Birmingham a 78-77 win over the University of South Florida on Wednesday night at Bartow Arena.
USFÂ (3-2) took a 77-75 lead with 3:03 to play in overtime after Jesus Verdejo scored five-straight points. But the Blazers (5-2) would score the final three points of the game, all on free throws.
For the game, Verdejo hit 6 of his 12 3-point attempts, to lead the Bulls. Dominique Jones added 15 for South Florida while Aris Williams grabbed six boards on the night. Chris Howard chipped in 11 points and had a game-high seven assists.
The Blazers sank 20 of 31 free throws, while the Bulls hit 12 of 20.
Lawrence Kinnard scored 20 to lead the Blazers, and Delaney added 16.
The Bulls, who led by eight points at halftime, were up 67-54 with 5:59 to play in the second after Verdejo hit a 3-pointer. The Blazers outscored South Florida 18-5 the rest of the way to tie it at 72 at the end of regulation.
Game Notes
? The Bulls fall to 3-2 on the year with the narrow overtime loss. USF's two losses have come on the road and by a combined three points.
? Senior guard Jesus Verdejo led USF with a game and career high 26 points, besting the 22 he had at Virginia earlier this year (11/19/08). He was 10-20 from the field buried a career high six 3-pointers on 12 attempts. His previous best was four 3-pointers made three times previously.
? Sophomore guard Dominique Jones added 15 points and has eclipsed the 600 career point mark. He now sits at 611 points, which is 51st on the all-time USF scoring list.
? Chris Howard had a solid all-around game, scoring 11 points, dishing out a game-high seven assists and pulling down five rebounds. He now has 255 career assists, good for 13th on the all-time USF assist list, just eight out of 12th place.
? Senior forward Aris Williams continued his solid play with seven points and a team-high six rebounds.
? Freshman guard Justin Leemow had a career-high nine points, going 3-3 from 3-point range, also a career best.
? It was just the second overtime game played for Stan Heath while at USF.
? USF will play just one more game, Saturday at UCF, before getting the services of transfers Mike Mercer and Augustus Gilchrist. Both become eligible on Dec. 14 vs. Niagara.
