Hess lifts Liberty to a 53-48 win over Middle Tennessee to claim Conference USA title, NCAA berth
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Emma Hess drilled a deep 3-pointer with more than a minute left to give Liberty a six-point lead and added a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to secure a 53-48 win over Middle Tennessee on Saturday as the Flames claimed the Conference USA Tournament championship and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament.
The top-seeded Flames earned their 18th NCAA Tournament berth and first since 2018 and earned their first Conference USA championship since joining for the 2023-24 season. Liberty earned its 26th win of the season, the second time they have hit that mark in the last 10 years.
Liberty led by as many as six points early in the fourth quarter and matched that lead after Hess hit from six feet beyond the 3-point arc with 1:10 left. Jalynn Gregory answered with a 3 from the top of the key for the Blue Raiders with 45 seconds to play, and when Liberty's Asia Boone missed a short jumper, Middle Tennessee got the ball with 28 seconds left. The Blue Raiders got the ball in Gregory's hands in the corner with eight seconds left, but she took a drop step to find room to shoot and stepped out of bounds.
Hess hit 3 of 7 from 3-point range and finished with 14 points to lead the Flames. Boone added 11 points and fifth-year senior Bella Smuda posted a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Ta'Mia Scott led No. 2 seed Middle Tennessee (26-8) with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Anastasiia Boldyreva added 12 points and eight rebounds.
___
AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball
Topics
-
How MTSU men's basketball reached Conference USA semifinals with double overtime win
Middle Tennessee State men's basketball won an overtime thriller over Louisiana Tech Thursday to reach the Conference USA Tournament semifinals.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
MTSU women's basketball vs. Liberty score today: Live updates, how to watch Conference USA title game
It’s MTSU women's basketball vs. Liberty in the Conference USA Tournament championship. Follow for live updates, highlights from Von Braun Center.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Poulakidas' 5 3s help carry Yale past Cornell 90-84; Elis win Ivy title and claim the NCAA berth
John Poulakidas knocked down five 3-pointers in the second half as regular-season champion Yale added the Ivy League Tournament championship with a 90-84 win over Cornell on Sunday to earn a berth ...Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Poulakidas' 5 3s help carry Yale past Cornell 90-84; Elis win Ivy title and claim the NCAA berth
John Poulakidas knocked down five 3-pointers in the second half as regular-season champion Yale added the Ivy League Tournament championship with a 90-84 win over Cornell on Sunday to earn a berth ...ABC News - 17h -
Yale beats Cornell to win Ivy title, tourney berth
Regular-season champion Yale added the Ivy League Tournament title with a 90-84 win over Cornell on Sunday to earn a berth in the NCAA tournament.ESPN - 15h -
Metheny scores 24, Liberty beats Kennesaw State 81-79 in Conference USA semifinals
Kaden Metheny had 24 points and Liberty beat Kennesaw State 81-79 on Friday in the Conference USA Tournament semifinals. The Flames secured a spot in a conference title game for the sixth time in ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
VCU holds off George Mason 68-63 to claim Atlantic 10 title and NCAA berth
Max Shulga scored 18 points and Joe Bamisile sealed the win with two free throws with a half-second left as Virginia Commonwealth held off George Mason 66-63 to win the Atlantic 10 Conference ...Yahoo Sports - 14h -
Marah Madness: Dykstra's putback at buzzer gives Montana State women a victory over Montana to claim Big Sky title
Mar. 13—BOISE, Idaho — The Bobcats are dancing for the first time since 2022. Marah Dykstra followed her miss and laid in the put back at the buzzer to lift Montana State over rival Montana 58-57 ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Gators win SEC Tournament title, secure No. 1 seed in NCAAs
A day after setting an SEC Tournament scoring record, No. 4 Florida got defensive to beat Tennessee in the title game and earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAAs. Following a 86-77 win over the No. 8 Vols, ...Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Alabama State basketball punches NCAA Tournament ticket with SWAC conference title
With its 60-56 win over Jackson State in Saturday's SWAC Tournament, Alabama is heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 14 years.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Lidge, Southern beat Alcorn St. 64-44 in SWAC title game, clinch NCAA Tournament berth
Tionna Lidge scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds — the senior’s first career double-double — to help No. 1 seed Southern beat Alcorn State 64-44 to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference ...ABC News - 1d -
Florida basketball takes down Tennessee Volunteers to claim SEC Tournament championship
For the fifth time in program history, the Florida Gators are SEC Tournament champions, following a convincing win over the Tennessee Volunteers.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Florida solidifies its status as a No. 1 seed in NCAA tournament with SEC title game win over Tennessee
Florida has won 12 of its last 13 games.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Duke leads the USA TODAY Sports men's college basketball poll entering the NCAA Tournament
Conference tournaments are in the books, and Duke is the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll entering the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 14h -
No. 4 Florida Gators win their 1st SEC Tourney title since 2014 by beating No. 8 Tennessee 86-77
Walter Clayton Jr. scored 22 points and fourth-ranked Florida won its fifth Southeastern Conference Tournament title and first since 2014 Sunday, beating the No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers 86-77. Will ...Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Draper beats Rune to win Indian Wells title
Britain's Jack Draper claims the biggest title of his career with a straight-set win over Denmark's Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final.BBC News - 13h -
Black Hawks Clinch Playoff Berth With Convincing Win Over Steel
The Waterloo Black Hawks became the third USHL Western Conference team to punch their ticket to the 2025 Clark Cup Playoffs, cruising past the Chicago Steel 5-1 at Fox Valley Ice Arena Friday night.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Grand Canyon rallies past UT Arlington for WAC title, 1st NCAA Women's Tournament berth
Grand Canyon extended its nation's longest winning streak to 30 games Saturday, earning its first NCAA Women's Tournament appearance.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
GB's Draper beats Rune to win Indian Wells title
Britain's Jack Draper claims the biggest title of his career with a straight-set win over Denmark's Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
No. 4 Florida Gators win 1st SEC Tourney title since 2014 after beating No. 8 Tennessee 86-77
Walter Clayton Jr. scored 22 points and fourth-ranked Florida won its fifth Southeastern Conference Tournament title and first since 2014 Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Texas vs Tennessee TV channel, prediction: How to watch SEC basketball tournament game
Texas basketball and freshman Tre Johnson are on fire in the SEC Tournament, but a win over Tennessee would guarantee a spot in the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
FGCU returns to NCAA Tournament for 11th time in 14 years, secures ninth straight ASUN title
The Eagles pulled away in the middle two quarters against the Sugar Bears, securing their ninth consecutive ASUN title in a 68-51 win at Alico Arena.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
West Virginia claims overall team title at NCAA rifle championships
The West Virginia Mountaineers claimed the 2025 NCAA national rifle championships Saturday. The title is the first for West Virginia since its string of five straight national championships was ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Gray hits six 3s as UC San Diego beats UC Irvine 75-61 for Big West title and NCAA Tourney berth
Hayden Gray knocked down six of his seven 3-point attempts and UC San Diego pulled away late to beat UC Irvine, 75-61 to earn its first Big West Conference Tournament championship and its first ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Bracketology: Florida vs. Tennessee showdown for SEC title will also be for a No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament
There's plenty on the line in the five conference tournament championship games played on Selection SundayCBS Sports - 22h -
Lidge, Southern beat Alcorn St. 64-44 in SWAC title game, clinch NCAA Tournament berth
Tionna Lidge scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds — the senior's first career double-double — to help No. 1 seed Southern beat Alcorn State 64-44 on Saturday night to win the Southwestern ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
March Madness: There are 4 NCAA tournament favorites ahead of conference tourney week
Auburn and Duke have the best odds to win the 2025 national title. Will they meet in the Final Four?Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Ossi claims individual title in smallbore, and Alaska Fairbanks leads the NCAA rifle championships
Cecelia Ossi claimed the individual title in the smallbore competition, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks leads the NCAA rifle championships after the first da in the Memorial ColiseumABC News - 2d -
'Blessed' Bueckers makes Big East tourney history
UConn superstar Paige Bueckers lifted the 1-seed Huskies to a 70-50 victory over 2-seed Creighton in the Big East tournament championship game to claim the program's 30th conference tournament ...ESPN - 6d -
Tennessee advances to SEC Tournament title game after Auburn win
Tennessee beats Auburn to advance to the SEC Tournament championship game on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Ossi claims individual title in smallbore, and Alaska Fairbanks leads the NCAA rifle championships
Cecelia Ossi claimed the individual title in the smallbore competition, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks leads the NCAA rifle championships after the first day on Friday in the Memorial ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Chelsea’s victory over FC Copenhagen win fails to lift Stamford Bridge mood
Chelsea are through to the Europa Conference League quarter-finals, but their performance against FC Copenhagen did little to silence doubts about Enzo Maresca’s approach.A 1-0 victory at Stamford ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Florida basketball fans, media respond to Gators' SEC Tournament Finals win over Tennessee
After Florida basketball's 86-77 win over the Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC Tournament Finals, Gator Nation responded with elation on social mediaYahoo Sports - 16h -
How To Watch Texas Longhorns take on Tennessee Vols in SEC Tournament to secure NCAA bid
Here's how to watch the Texas Longhorns take on the Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC Tournament. A Texas win should get it into the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Rangers claim OT win over Wild
Defenseman Braden Schneider’s backhander in overtime scored a much-needed win for a Rangers team that never trailed in a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild, snapping New York’s four-game winless ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Oregon's March Madness opponent is Liberty to open 2025 NCAA Tournament
It's Oregon vs Liberty in March Madness to open 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Tensions rise in Middle East after U.S. strikes in Yemen
Houthi rebels in Yemen are claiming that they staged a counterstrike on the U.S.S. Harry Truman on Sunday in response to U.S. strikes that President Trump announced on Houthi military targets over ...NBC News - 12h -
Lendeborg's double-double helps UAB advance to AAC title game with 66-56 win over North Texas
Yaxel Lendeborg scored 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead No. 3 seed UAB to a 66-56 victory over No. 2 seed North Texas in an American Athletic Conference Tournament semifinalABC News - 1d -
Big 12 teams picking up injuries during conference tourney with NCAA Tournament on the horizon
The Big 12 Tournament hasn't exactly been kind to its own teams when it comes to staying healthy. Second-ranked Houston cruised into the title game with a 76-56 victory over No. 17 BYU on Friday ...Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Former LSU football star Ja'Marr Chase signs historic contract extension
Ja'Marr Chase signed a record-setting contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping him with former LSU teammate Joe BurrowYahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Former LSU football star Ja'Marr Chase signs historic contract extension
Ja'Marr Chase signed a record-setting contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping him with former LSU teammate Joe BurrowYahoo Sports - 17m