LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's basketball team (6-13, 3-3 GSC) made the most of its final non-conference game of the season, taking a thrilling 72-70 triumph over Auburn Montgomery Wednesday evening at Pruitt Hall.
 
After trailing by as many as eight points in the second half, UWA battled back in the final seven minutes of the game to eventually take the final go-ahead basket off two free-throws by junior point guard Steven Samuels.
 
Those free-shots set up an intense final two minutes as AUM knocked in a three and forced a Tiger turnover with two seconds remaining to set up the final shot that fell just short in the 72-70 West Alabama victory.
 
In a game that featured eight ties and nine lead changes, UWA battled from behind most of the night after building an early 37-34 halftime lead. The Tigers then saw that slim margin quickly diminish as AUM outscored the Red and White 25-14 in the first ten minutes of the second half, setting up the exciting closing frame.
 
For the game, UWA was led by five players who each scored in double figures. Junior guard Jared Woolfolk picked up his eleventh double-figure scoring game of the season with his team-high 19 points, while Samuels was not far behind his teammate with 18 total points on the evening. Meanwhile, junior center Darrion Booker continues his superb post play with 10 points and five rebounds.
 
The Tigers won Wednesday's game despite being outscored in the paint, 38-18, and allowing 16 second-chance points from the Warhawks. In an up-and-down forty minutes of action, AUM also had 21 turnovers while forcing 24 Tiger miscues.
 
West Alabama now steps back into Gulf South Conference play when the squad hosts West Georgia at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. That game will start the second portion of the GSC schedule and will once again be an opportunity for a lucky fan to bring home $10,000 in the EconoLodge Inn and Suites Shootout.
 
Fans can follow the Tigers all season long on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UWAathletics) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/UWAathletics). Additionally, fans may also sign up to receive SMS text alerts at www.uwaathletics.com.