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.

In a rematch of the 2024 CUSA Women's Basketball Championship title game, No. 1 seed Liberty turned the tables on two-time defending champion No. 2 seed Middle

Kaden Metheny scored 21 points and Taelon Peter added 20, and top-seeded Liberty pulled away early in the second half to beat No. 2 seed Jacksonville State 79-67 Saturday night in Huntsville, Alabama, for its first Conference USA Tournament title.