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.

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.

As college basketball season comes to a close, Jacksonville State and Liberty play for a Conference USA title and a trip to March Madness on Saturday

Madness picks, predictions, odds for Liberty vs Oregon first-round East Region game on Friday, March 21, 2025. Who wins game?

It’s Kentucky vs Liberty in the first round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Here’s our prediction for the March Madness basketball game.

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