LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Outscoring Delta State by 16 points in the paint, the University of West Alabama men's basketball team (8-16, 5-6 GSC) rolled past the Statesmen Saturday afternoon at Pruitt Hall.
 
In the 64-51 victory, the Tigers had three players score in double figures with forward Ryan Fitch and center Kyle Belcher combining for 24 points – 20 of those coming in the paint. Meanwhile, senior guard Alquan Mendenhall added 12 points from behind the arc.
 
After falling behind 3-0 with the game's first basket, UWA went on to take command and hold the lead for the remainder of the contest. Playing in a back-and-forth first 20 minutes, West Alabama battled the Statesmen for a slim 28-20 halftime advantage.
 
That eight-point lead would be extended into the final half, as UWA stormed out on a 15-6 run to add more distance between them and the Statesmen. The Tigers led by as many as 17 in the second half as they picked up the 64-51 triumph.
 
For the contest UWA shot 43 percent, while holding Delta State to a 27 percent shooting performance on the night. The Tigers also owned the rebounding margin with a 40-33 advantage.
 
UWA now hits the road and travels to Valdosta, Ga., for a Thursday meeting against Valdosta State. Tip time for that contest is slated for 7 p.m.
 
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