LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Justin Wright and
Charles Eaton combined for 44 points to lead West Alabama men's basketball to 75-74 victory over Lee University in Gulf South Conference action at Pruitt Hall on Thursday.
West Alabama, with four games remaining in the regular season, improves to 17-9 overall matching its overall win total from last season's NCAA tournament team and fifth most single season wins in program history. The Tigers now sit tied for first place in the GSC standings under first year head coach
Allen Sharpe with West Georgia and Alabama Huntsville at 12-6, having already secured a place in the GSC tournament. Lee drops to 11-12 overall and 6-12 in the league.
Justin Wright led the Tigers with 22 points, hitting all three of his 3-point field goal attempts and finishing 7-for-8 from the field.
Charles Eaton came off the bench to lead in the first half with 14 points. He finished with 20 points, shooting 6-for-9 from the field.
Eaton continued to lead the Tigers from the free-throw line, sinking all eight of his attempts. He is shooting 83 percent free throws (82-of-98) on the season. UWA combined for 19-of-23 at the line, making all 11 free throws in the first half.
Jarell Byrd led team with seven rebounds while matching
Deontaye Ewing with 13 points. The Tigers combined for 10 steals on defense, led by Byrd with a season high of four.
West Alabama took a 39-25 lead in the first half shooting 13-of-25 from the field, while Lee struggled to make only eight of its 21 attempts. The Flames improved in the second half by shooting 12-of-32, outscoring the Tigers 49-36. UWA shot 12-of-21 in the second half.
Stedmon Ford led Lee with 22 points, followed by Cory Billingsley with 14. Ford was 8-of-13 from the field, while Billingsley was 10-for-10 from the free throw line.
West Alabama, who is 11-1 on its home court, will wrap up its home season against Shorter University on Saturday. The Tigers will honor five seniors as a part of its "Senior Night" prior to the game with tipoff against the Hawks slated for 4 p.m. at Pruitt Hall.
