FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Justin Wright posted 15 second half points to lead West Alabama Men's Basketball to 65-58 victory over the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the second day of the 2014 Alaska Invitational at Patty Gymnasium Friday.
West Alabama improved to 1-3 overall, while limiting its opponent to a season low of 20 field goals. The Alaska Nanooks drop to 1-1.
UWA bounced back from shooting 0-for-12 from the field in the opening five minutes of the game to take a 25-22 lead at the half. The Tigers opened the second half with an 11-2 point run in the first five minutes, building as much as a 12 point lead while never trailing in the period.
West Alabama finished 23-for-58 from the field (15-for-29 in the second half), while UAF shot 20-for-57. The Tigers tallied their most rebounds in their first four games with 41 and limited UAF to 39, leading board deficit 25-18 in the first half.
"All we have talked about for the last week has been guarding, and finally it clicked tonight," said UWA Head Coach
Allen Sharpe. "We didn't shoot it great, but that's where defense is going to win the game. Sometimes it just takes winning a game for things to click."
Lleon Tillman led the rebounding effort with 12; 10 in the first half.
Jarell Byrd followed with 10, while adding 11 points for his first double-double of the season.
Kenric McCants and
Terrance Carroll each finished with 10 points.
Ruben Silvas led the Nanooks with 13 points, followed by Ashton Edwards with 11.
The Tigers conclude the tournament against Black Hills State University Saturday at 8 p.m. (C.S.T.). Black Hills enters 1-3 overall, having already fallen to Alaska 68-66 and Minnesota State Moorhead 80-61 earlier in the tournament. The Nanooks face the Dragons at 10 p.m. (C.S.T.) Saturday.
