UCF defeats UAB 71-63 in C-USA finale for both

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Keith Clanton had 22 points and Marcus Jordan 16 to lead Central Florida to a 71-63 win over Alabama-Birmingham Saturday night in the regular-season finale for both.

UCF (21-9, 10-6 Conference USA) clinched fourth place in the conference and a first-round bye in the tournament that begins Wednesday.

Isaiah Sykes added 15 points and A.J. Rompza had 11 points and 10 assists for UCF, which improved to 16-1 at home this season.

Jordan Swing led UAB (14-15, 9-7) with 17 points. Cameron Moore and Quincy Taylor each had 13.

UCF sank 10 of 17 from behind the arc in the first half. Jordan hit 4 of 5 treys, the last one just beating the halftime buzzer and putting the Knights up 46-26.

The closest UAB got in the second half was 69-63 on a layup by Swing, but Jordan closed it out for UCF with a pair of free throws.

Updated March 3, 2012