UTSA beats WKU 56-52 for 1st-ever C-USA Tournament win

Mar 9, 2017, 07:06 am

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Jeff Beverly scored 14 points, Byron Frohnen had 11 points, 13 rebounds and four assists, and No. 9 seed UTSA beat eighth-seeded Western Kentucky 56-52 on Wednesday for the Roadrunners' first Conference USA Tournament victory since joining in 2012.

UTSA went on a 10-1 run -- with six points from Beverly -- midway through the second half to take control.

Beverly missed two free throws with 14 seconds left but WKU wasn't able to secure the rebound. Giovanni De Nicolao was fouled with 10.7 left and went 1 of 2 at the line for a 56-52 lead. Junior Lomomba had his layup blocked by Frohnen and the putback attempt didn't hit the rim.

Lucas O'Brien added 10 points and six boards for UTSA (14-18), which will face No. 1 seed Middle Tennessee on Thursday in the quarterfinals.

Justin Johnson led Western Kentucky (15-17) with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Pancake Thomas added 12 points and Lomomba finished with 10.

The Roadrunners avenged a 15-point, regular-season loss to WKU.