HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Nationally ranked No. 22 Alabama Huntsville held West Alabama men's basketball to a season low of 37 percent (21-for-56) from the field and scoring to defeat the Tigers 63-57 in Gulf South Conference action at Spragins Hall Thursday.

Alabama Huntsville improved to 8-1 overall, winning its third straight; 3-0 in GSC. West Alabama falls to 5-5 and 1-2.  

UWA did set a bench mark performance from the free throw line despite its troubles from the field. The Tigers finished 17-for-17 in free throws, marking the first time shooting 100 percent since the 1989-1990 season.

West Alabama led by as many as eight points midway through the first half, holding the Chargers to 2-of-10 in 3-point field goal attempts. UAH battled back, hitting 4-of-5 from the 3-point arc in the final six minutes to take a 33-29 lead at the break.

The Tiger defense limited the Chargers to 1-of-9 three-pointers in the second half. However, the UAH reserves led 24-5 in bench points, while limiting UWA substitutes to no points in the second half.

West Alabama led the Chargers 37-30 in rebounds; 21-12 through the first half. Lleon Tillman and Jarell Byrd each tallied nine boards.

Tillman went on to lead with 15 points, followed by Justin Wright with 11 and Kenric McCants with 10. Five Tigers went to the free throw line with Wright, Byrd, and McCancts each hitting 4-for-4. Deontaye Ewing finished 3-for-3 and Terrance Carroll 2-for-2.  

UAH shot 14-for-17 free throws, led by Preston Herring with 6-of-7. Herring led the Chargers with 14 points.

"If you told me before the game they were only going to get 63 points, I would have taken it and liked our chances, but if you are only going to get 57 points it will always be tough to win," said UWA head coach Allen Sharpe.

"This loss is frustrating because we had an opportunity to go on the road and beat a ranked opponent and we were right there at it. Our bench was non-existent tonight mainly due to the defensive side. The guys coming off the bench missed some assignments so we sat them back down. UAH is tough to guard though, they do an excellent job of stretching out the floor and shooting the three. We did a good job taking away the 3-point field goal in the second half, we just didn't get enough field goals."

West Alabama men's hoops return home to take on in-state GSC rival North Alabama at Pruitt Hall Sunday. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.

"It doesn't get any easier for us, but it will be good to be back home for our second time," Sharpe said.