AMERICUS, Ga. – The University of West Alabama men's basketball team successfully opened the 2009-10 campaign in convincing fashion with a 76-63 win over Georgia Southwestern on Monday evening.

The Tigers (1-0) have now won their season opener in four out of the last five seasons, dating back to the 2004-05 season.

After the Hurricanes (0-1) knocked down the opening basket, the Tigers led from the 18:09 mark of the game and never relinquished the lead.  UWA built its first double digit lead, 31-20, on an Alquan Mendenhall three-pointer with 6:35 left in the opening half and extended the margin out to 14 points on two occasions in the half.  The Red and White took a 13-point, 45-32 lead at the halftime break.

In the second half, the Tigers picked up right where they left off in the first half as they pushed the lead out to as many as 17 points twice in the first five minutes of the final period.  UWA maintained its double-digit margin throughout the second half as GSW was only able to trim the lead down to ten points at 62-52 with 7:46 left in the contest.

UWA scorched the nets, draining 61 percent from the field, including a 19-for-29 opening half effort.  The Red and White connected on six of its eight three pointers in the first 20 minutes.  Defensively, the Tigers held the Hurricanes in check, allowing just 22 made baskets in the contest along with out-rebounding GSW, 27-20.

Senior transfer Richard Sirju finished with a game-high 20 points.  The former Utah State University guard finished 7-of-10 from the field, including 6-of-7 from behind the arc.  Senior Jason Swanson posted 19 points and a team-best nine rebounds in 32 minutes of activity.  Senior Lucas Hall came off the bench to add 12 points.

Chris Eawls paced the Hurricanes with 15 points.

UWA will open its 11-game home schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 18, welcoming Concordia College of Selma to Pruitt Hall.  Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m. following the women's contest, which is slated for 5:30 p.m.