BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Brandon Simmons scored on a 2-yard run with 2:20 remaining in the game to lift East Carolina to a 17-13 victory over Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday night.

Simmons' touchdown capped a nine-play, 55-yard drive that was aided by a face mask penalty that gave East Carolina (7-4, 5-2 Conference USA)a first down at UAB's 11. Two plays later, Simmons scored to cap the drive, which was led by backup quarterback Rob Kass .

UAB (3-8, 2-5) moved to the East Carolina 40, but Pierre Bell intercepted Pirates quarterback Joe Webb at the 31 to preserve the victory after the ball skipped off the hands of tight end Zach Lankford .

The win clinched the C-USA East Division title for the Pirates and a spot in the conference championship game.