Southern Miss basketball and coach Jay Ladner turned the program around this season. The Golden Eagles jumped from seven wins last season to winning the Sun Belt regular-season title and finishing with 25 wins.
The breakthrough season for Southern Miss (25-8) ended Tuesday in a 88-60 loss to No. 4 seed UAB in the opening round of the NIT at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
DeAndre Pinckney had a team-high 15 points along with two rebounds, two assists and three steals.
WHAT'S NEXTWhat's next for USM men's, women's basketball following Sun Belt Conference Tournament losses
SUN BELT TITLESSouthern Miss men's and women's basketball teams claim Sun Belt Conference titles
Turnovers plague first half
With 11:54 left in the first half, the Golden Eagles held a 12-9 lead.