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.

The Conference USA Championship Game was delayed following the severe storms that hit the area Saturday, but that didn’t stop the teams from finishing out the championship game later that night. According to Conference USA,

A leak in the roof at the Von Braun Center’s Propst Arena in Huntsville delayed the Conference USA men’s basketball championship game for an hour and six minutes. The game, which pits Jacksonville State against Liberty, was originally set to tip off at 7:30 p.m.

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

It’s Oregon Ducks vs Liberty Flames in March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.