Box Score

CLEVELAND, Miss. – Steven Samuels led West Alabama with 21 points, including a jump shot as time expired, to lead the Tigers to a 62-60 overtime victory over Gulf South Conference opponent Delta State on Thursday.

 “This win was really important for our team,” UWA head coach Mike Newell said. “I am really proud of our kids. They had us down by nine at one point, but we hung in there and responded. Most young teams struggle under the pressure, but we did an excellent job of playing a full game.”

The thrilling finish was the third consecutive overtime game for West Alabama, who improved to 6-7 overall and 2-4 in GSC play. The win was the first road victory of the season for the Tigers. Delta State dropped to 5-9 and 1-5.

Matt Allbritton led Delta State to a 31-26 half time lead, scoring 13 points in the first 20 minutes. West Alabama responded in the second half, holding him scoreless and cutting an eight-point deficit to send the game into overtime.

In overtime Samuels hit back-to-back three-pointers, as well as the game winner, accounting for eight of 10 West Alabama overtime points. Samuel's performance against the Statesman was his third consecutive 20-point performance.  

“Steven Samuels is starting to play well again,” Newell said. “We tried to get the ball to him at the end of regulation but Delta State guarded it. We went back to him in overtime and were successful. It's great, as a coach, to have those kind of players.”

The Tigers remain on the road to visit Christian Brothers in Memphis on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.