BIRMINGHAM — William Lee scored nine consecutive points to key a UAB run in the second half of the Conference USA Championship game and the Blazers blew out Middle Tennessee 73-60 to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.

The game was played at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center, which is the same arena where Lee led Dallas County High School to the class 4A state basketball championship last year. The 6-foot-9 forward scored 13 points on eight shots and added six rebounds Saturday. He was named to the Conference USA All-Tournament team.

UAB (19-15) led 37-26 at the half and pulled away in the second half behind spectacular shooting from Robert Brown, who made 4-of-8 three-pointers. Brown, who scored 20 points also added 5 rebounds and 4 assists was named the tournament MVP.

The Blazers shot a blistering 52 percent from the field and outrebounded the Blue Raiders 33-22.

Lee, who started the season slow due to a knee injury, has now scored double-digit points in 8 of the Blazers’ last 10 games. He threw down an alley oop and nailed a three-pointer as part of Saturday’s all-around performance. Now he’ll play in the NCAA Tournament as a freshman.

UAB will find out its first round NCAA Tournament opponent Sunday night. ESPN bracketology expert Joe Lunardi had the Blazers slotted as a 15 seed going into Saturday’s game.

Riley, Texas Southern NCAA bound

Former Selma High School star Malcolm Riley scored 23 points Friday to lead the Tigers past Prarie View A&M 90-77, securing a NCAA Tournament bid.

The game was actually a SWAC semifinal game, but Texas Southern’s championship game opponent, Southern, is ineligible for the NCAA Tournament.

Peeples leads Alabama State to women’s tournament

Jasmine Peeples, who starred at Selma High School just a few years ago, will play in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Peeples scored 18 points and added 8 rebounds in Alabama State’s 73-55 win Saturday over Southern to secure a tournament bid.