AUBURN, Alabama (Ticker) -- Lori Nero scored a career-high 24 points as 13th-ranked Auburn rallied from a 14-point deficit before defeating Alabama-Birmingham, 79-71 in overtime.

UAB's Mia Thrash nailed a jumper with 13 seconds left to send the game to overtime tied at 65-65. But Auburn used a 14-6 run to take the lead in the extra period and remain perfect on the year.

"I was proud of this team for coming back from 14 down." Auburn coach Joe Ciapi said. "We got great effort from everybody."

Carol Smith scored 15 points for Auburn, which trailed most of the game but shot 63 percent (17-of-27) in the second half after trailing 33-26 at the break.

With 17:54 to play, the Tigers (8-0) embarked on a 20-7 run to grab a 48-47 edge. They controlled the lead until the final seconds of regulation.

All starters scored in double figures for Auburn, including LaRita Spencer who had two 3-pointers and two steals in the second-half run and finished with 11. Tasha Hamilton chipped in 14.

"We showed we could take it to another level in a close game like that. We really showed a lot of heart out there." Ciampi added.

DeAnna Jackson led UAB with 21 points and nine rebounds. Thrash added 20 points.

UAB (5-3) connected on only 2-of-9 shots in overtime.