Memphis, TN -- (Sports Network) - A pair of free throws with 6.4 seconds remaining by Kevin Sims lifted the Tulane Green Wave to a thrilling 48-47 victory over the Marshall Thundering Herd in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament at FedEx Forum.

Sims scored a team-high 14 points in addition to his late game heroics to pace ninth-seeded Tulane (17-14), which advances to face top-seeded Memphis in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Tirrell Baines tallied 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to guide eighth- seeded Marshall (16-14), while Tyler Wilkerson chipped in 10 points in the losing effort.

Despite shooting just 36.7 percent from the field in the opening half, Tulane managed to take a slim 26-25 lead into the break.

The Green Wave closed out the game with an 11-0 run that was capped by Sims' game-winning free throws. Marshall had a chance to win, but Markel Humphrey's shot was blocked in the closing moments.

Marshall shot just 36.4 percent from the floor in the loss, including 3-of-13 from long range.