Buckles Helps FIU Power Past UAB

MIAMI (AP) — Rakeem Buckles had 21 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks to lead Florida International past UAB 78-73 Thursday night.

FIU snapped a two-game losing skid while winning its third straight at home. Buckles earned his tenth double-double of the season.

Down 60-56 with about 5 minutes to play, Buckles' tip-in sparked a 13-2 run to give the Panthers a 69-62 lead with 2:24 remaining. C.J. Washington hit a 3-poointer to pull UAB within 69-65. Jerome Fink and Tymell Murphy both scored, and FIU made five of six free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Murphy scored 16 points for FIU (12-11, 4-4 Conference USA), while Dennis Mavin added 14 for the second game in a row. Fink finished with 13 points.

Chad Frazier scored 23 points and had five assists to lead UAB (14-8, 3-5 Conference USA). Washington scored 19 points, and Fahro Alihodzic added 10.

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