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

Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay, top, celebrates as he cuts down the second net after a win in an NCAA college basketball game against Jacksonville State in the championship of the Conference USA tournament Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Huntsville, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) AP