LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Hoping to build off a non-conference slate that saw the Tigers face some stiff competition, the University of West Alabama men's basketball team (2-9) is set to entertain No. 13 Alabama-Huntsville Thursday afternoon at Pruitt Hall. Opening tip is slated for 7:30 p.m.
 
The Tigers enter Thursday's affair coming off a tough 75-74 loss to Rust College on New Year's Eve. That game capped a strong non-conference schedule for the Red and White that included the likes of Oregon State, Morehead State and Princeton.
 
Competition continues to get tougher for first-year head coach Mike Newell's team who will face a talented Alabama-Huntsville squad. Under the direction of head coach Lennie Acuff, the Chargers opened up the 2011-12 season with the nation's No. 1 ranking. Currently, UAH is 8-2 and sits at No.13 in the country.
 
UWA is led by first-year player and junior guard Jared Woolfolk. The O'Fallon, Ill., native leads the team, averaging 13.4 points per game. Meanwhile, Alquan Mendenhall has played a pivotal role in his first two games back, scoring 27 points in two games.
 
Alabama-Huntsville is paced by Jaime Smith, who is averaging just under 18 points per contest to go along with a 51 percent shooting percentage. Zane Campbell has also been a star for the Chargers, averaging 15.5 points per game to add to his 6.4 rebounds per game average.
 
Following Thursday's meeting with UAH, the Tigers host North Alabama at 4 p.m.