When you get down to the semifinals of conference tournaments in college basketball, you may see a team twice, or even a third time.

This was the case for UAB in their American Athletic Conference semifinal matchup vs. North Texas. After splitting the first two matchups in the regular season, the winner not only wins the season series, but becomes 40 minutes away from a NCAA Tournament berth.

The Blazers defeated the Mean Green, 66-56 and will advance to play Memphis in Sunday afternoon’s title game.

After a historic quarterfinal performance from Yaxel Lendeborg, UAB was given a scare after he suffered a foot injury that left him hobbled for much of the first half. Lendeborg returned to form in the second half, scoring 17 points, making all six of his free throw attempts and coming down with six rebounds to finish with a 23-point 13-rebound double-double with two blocks and steals respectively.

Blazers’ guard Ja’Borri McGhee continued his streak of high-level play as well, recording 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. McGhee and Alejandro Vasquez’ tenacious defense was factor in North Texas’ Jasper Floyd and Latrel Jossell shooting a combined 6-for-15 shooting for 15 points.

After both prior meetings between these two teams were scrappy, low-scoring games decided by physicality and paint presence, the teams put together the third edition of physical matchups this season. Both teams scored 28 of their points in the paint, and UAB won the rebound battle with a 39-37 advantage on the glass. North Texas also shot 22.2% from deep, with UAB finishing with a higher, but still subpar, mark of 25% three-point shooting.

Only two Mean Green players scored in double-figures, with Atin Wright going 4-of-14 from the floor and 2-of-10 from deep to finish with 12 points, and backup forward Brenan Lorient scoring 12 points as well. Lorient’s 11 rebounds off the bench gave him a double-double in 31 minutes of play.

The Blazers’ main focus heading into tomorrow’s championship game will be the health of Lendeborg. While finished the game, it was obvious the foot injury he suffered was still hindering his overall agility. All eyes will be on Lendeborg’s matchup in the paint with Memphis’ Dain Dainja, who put up a double-double in Memphis’ 78-77 victory over Tulane to advance to the conference title game.

The Blazers and Tigers will meet tomorrow at 2:00, with a NCAA Tournament appearance on the line for the Blazers. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN and ESPN+.