VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State wins turnover battle and snaps the University of West Alabama's five-game win streak with 22-21 victory at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers (5-2, 0-1 Gulf South Conference) turned the ball over three times to fall in the conference opener.

The final miscue – an 85 yard INT return by Matt Pierce – his second of the game - came on a drive deep into VSU territory.

UWA amassed 420 yards in the contest, including 301 on the ground. Junior running back Matt Willis carried the load for the Tigers offensively as the Collins, Miss., native toted the ball 31 times for 219 yards and a score. VSU tallied just 278 yards of total offense with 190 yards through the air. Deon Lacey led the Red and White defensively with his third consecutive game with double digit tackles as the Brighton, Ala., product recorded 10 in the setback.

UWA took the opening kickoff and marched 69 yards behind the rugged running of Willis. Willis toted the ball four times during the drive, including a six yarder for the Red and White's first score of the contest.

VSU quickly answered the score as the Blazers knotted the contest at 7-all on just three plays. A 46-yard TD pass from wide receiver Reggie Lewis to tight end Scott Fambrough capped the 68 yard drive.

The Tigers halted the Blazers' second drive of the outing with an interception by Otha Foster – his fourth of the season, but the drive was abruptly ended as Kyle Caldwell's pass was picked off at the VSU eight yard line. The INT led to the Blazers taking the lead as the Red and Black converted a 28 yard field goal by Daniel Anderson with 14:12 remaining in the opening stanza.

VSU widened its margin to 16-7 as Caldwell's second INT was returned 35 yards by Pierce at the 2:30 mark of the second quarter.

The Red and White managed to cut into the lead as the opening half came to a close. The Tigers galloped 87 yards on 12 plays with Caldwell finding Ken May from 21 yards out to nip the lead to 16-14 as the teams headed into the locker room. It marked the first time that UWA had trailed at the half all season.

After nearly a scoreless third quarter, the Tigers regained the lead as Gerald Worsham took a sweep around the right end from nine yards out to put the Red and White up 21-16 with two minutes left in the quarter. The lead was the first for UWA since it scored on its opening drive.

West Alabama returns to action on Thursday, Oct. 20 as the Tigers travel to Carrollton, Ga., for the GSC-TV Live Game of the Week. Kickoff at West Georgia is scheduled for 7 p.m. central. The UWA broadcast on ESPN 104.9 FM and at www.espn1049.com will begin at 6:30 p.m.