TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game that defied both expectation and exhaustion, the UAB Blazers outlasted the South Florida Bulls 109-106 in a double-overtime marathon Sunday at the Yuengling Center, a contest defined not by a single moment but by a relentless, back-and-forth struggle that stretched deep into the night.

The American Athletic Conference clash, witnessed by 3,397 fans, saw 15 ties and 18 lead changes, with neither team able to secure a decisive advantage until the final possessions of the second extra period. The combined 215 points shattered the pregame over/under line of 162.5, a testament to an offensive shootout that somehow grew more tense with each additional minute.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final 30 seconds of the second overtime. With UAB clinging to a 107-106 lead after a Daimion Collins tip-in for South Florida, the Blazers’ Jacob Meyer delivered the dagger. The sophomore guard from Covington, Kentucky, took an inbound pass, drove the length of the court, and finished with a powerful dunk through traffic with just four seconds remaining, pushing the lead to three.

South Florida’s final attempt to force a third overtime fell short as Adriel Nyorha’s pull-up jumper missed as time expired, finally ending a game that began nearly three hours earlier.

The foundation for the epic was laid by spectacular individual performances. South Florida’s Wes Enis, a guard from Conover, Ohio, poured in a game-high 36 points in a staggering 48 minutes, connecting on six three-pointers. He was complemented by the interior dominance of Izaiyah Nelson. The 6-foot-10 center from Marietta, Georgia, recorded a formidable 23 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots, anchoring the Bulls’ defense.

UAB, however, countered with superior balance and clutch play. Chance Westry, named the Blazers’ top star, lived up to the billing with 24 points and a team-high six assists, orchestrating the offense under constant pressure. He was supported by a double-double from Jacob Meyer, who finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, none bigger than his final two. Daniel Rivera added 18 points and six boards, while Quaran McPherson provided a vital spark off the bench with 17 points, including three key three-pointers.

The statistical ledger reflected the razor-thin margins. UAB shot 43.9% from the field to South Florida’s 43.2%. The Bulls won the battle from beyond the arc, hitting 13 threes to UAB’s six, and outrebounded the Blazers 46-41. But UAB’s aggression paid dividends at the free-throw line, where they attempted 43 shots, making 31, compared to South Florida’s 23-of-36 performance. Crucially, the Blazers also forced 13 South Florida turnovers while committing only eight, leading to a 16-15 edge in points off turnovers.

Regulation ended in an 83-83 deadlock after a frenetic final minute. The first overtime provided no more clarity, concluding at 95-95, setting the stage for the final, decisive five-minute session.

The victory improved UAB to 10-5 overall and marked a resilient bounce-back from a home loss to Wichita State earlier in the week. South Florida, which had been installed as a 6.5-point pregame favorite despite statistical models giving UAB a slight edge to win, fell to 8-6.

Both teams face quick turnarounds in conference play. UAB returns home to host Florida Atlantic on Wednesday, while South Florida travels to face North Texas the same night. The rivals are scheduled for a rematch in Birmingham on Jan. 22, a game that will undoubtedly carry the memory of this instant classic in Tampa.