LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's basketball team recorded its largest margin of victory of the season with an 81-51 win over Oakwood University. The scoring total was the second highest of the season for UWA – which improves to 10-14 overall.
Five Tigers tallied double figures in the winning effort – led by 20 points from Alquan Mendenhall. Trevell Coleman came of the bench to add 14 points while the trio of Ryan Fitch, Richard Dixon and Drew Faile each supplied 13 points. Fitch along with Korielle Beavers tied for the team lead in rebounds with seven rebounds each.
The Red and White shot 50 percent from the field in the win – the highest shooting average for the Tigers since Jan. 27 which resulted in a 70-68 victory at West Georgia. It marks just the fourth time this season that UWA has connected on at least half its shots from the field – all resulting in victories. The Tigers also shot 47 percent from behind the arc – the second highest average of the season from long range.
UWA – which led by 10 points at the half – opened the second stanza with a 17-6 run to widen its margin to 21 points. During the run Faile gathered seven of his point total behind a pair of 3-pointers. OU nipped away at the lead pulling within 13 points with just less than nine minutes to play, but the Tigers outscored the Ambassadors 18-1 the remainder of the way for the 30-point victory.
Lanardo Bryant paced OU in scoring with 13 points followed by 10 from Ronald Baltimore. Wilbur Ampey led the Ambassadors on the boards with seven.
West Alabama closes out the three-game homestand with a pair of vital GSC contests. The Tigers host West Georgia on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. UWA then closes out the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 26 – Super Tiger Day - against Valdosta State. Tip-off against the Blazers is scheduled for 4 p.m. Both games will be available via live stats and live video at www.uwaathletics.com.
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