LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's basketball team snapped a three-game losing skid and picked up a pivotal 87-67 Gulf South Conference East Division win over West Florida on Wednesday night at Pruitt Hall.
With the win, UWA moved to 11-11 on the season and 2-4 within the division. The Argonauts of UWF fall to 8-11 overall, 1-5 in GSC East play.
The Tigers extended a seven-point, 42-35, halftime lead out double figures by the 16:00 minute mark and never let the Argonauts get the deficit into single digits. UWA took its largest lead of 24 points on two occasions in the final 20 minutes before claiming the 20-point win. The Red and White's shooting percentage heated up in the second half as it connected on 53 percent from the field, including seven three-pointers in the half. Senior Jason Swanson manned the post for a game-high 23 points as he reached double figures by intermission. The Troy, Ala.-forward pulled down 14 rebounds to register his 11th double-double of the season. Sophomore Alquan Mendenhall contributed 12 second half points and knocking down four treys. Senior guard Richard Sirju finished with 11 points while senior Brandon Hampton added 10 points off the bench. Senior guard Chris Davis came within one assist away from double digit dish outs as the Birmingham, Ala.-native was credited with a career-best nine assists.
The win avenges a 75-73 setback to UWF in Pensacola, Fla. earlier this season. Max Hoggard paced the Argonauts with 16 points.
UWA returns to the hardwood on Saturday, Feb. 6, to close out the non-conference portion of the schedule against Carver Bible College out of Atlanta, Ga. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. on the UWA campus. The game can be followed via live stats and live video at www.uwaathletics.com.
