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.

In a rematch of the 2024 CUSA Women's Basketball Championship title game, No. 1 seed Liberty turned the tables on two-time defending champion No. 2 seed Middle

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

Liberty, in its second season as a member of Conference USA, clinched an NCAA tournament berth by defeating Jacksonville State 79-67 in Saturday night's CUSA title game.

Madness odds for Oregon vs. Liberty NCAA Tournament game, including point spread, moneyline, over/under for betting on Friday, March 21.

There's an aspect of randomness when it comes to filling out an NCAA tournament bracket, but the No. 5 seed Oregon Ducks have to be happy with what they were given. Oregon will open with the Liberty Flames in the first round of the 2025 NCAA tournament in Seattle on Friday.