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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson hit a jump shot from the right side with 24 seconds left in overtime to provide the winning margin as UAB defeated DePaul 81-80 on Wednesday night.
DePaul had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds. Drake Diener missed a 3-point try, but DePaul rebounded and called time out with 12 seconds left. But UAB did not give the Blue Demons a good look at a 3-point shot. DePaul missed a shot and LeVar Seals scored on a follow shot with one second left to make it 81-80. Time ran out, giving UAB the victory.
Demario Eddins scored 22 points and Donell Taylor added 21 to lead UAB (29-9, 10-5 Conference USA). Marvett McDonald scored 15 points and Johnson had 10 for the Blazers.
Diener hit six 3-point shots and scored 25 points to lead DePaul (18-8, 10-5). Quemont Greer scored 17 points and Seals had 14 for the Blue Demons.
The game was tight throughout. DePaul led 39-37 at halftime, and the Blue Demons' 50-42 lead early in the second half was the highest margin of the game.
A free throw by Eddins with just less than nine minutes to play tied it 61-61. That was the first of seven ties down the stretch.
A 3-pointer by Greer gave DePaul a 75-72 lead with 1:21 left in regulation. But Taylor responded with a 3-pointer for UAB, making it 75-75 with 45 seconds left.
UAB had a chance to win in regulation. But McDonald's pass inside was knocked loose and DePaul recovered with 1.4 seconds left, setting up the overtime.
Taylor hit two free throws at the beginning of overtime, and UAB stayed in front the rest of the way. But it took Johnson's jump shot to give UAB a 3-point margin, and the Blazers defense made it hold up on the last possession.
