LIVINGSTON, Ala. – West Alabama men's basketball played a dominant first half, taking control of the game early and building a 17-point lead at halftime before defeating Spring Hill College 63-56 in the Tigers' home opener at Pruitt Hall on Saturday.
 
With the win, the Tigers improve to 2-1 on the season, while the Badgers fall to 0-5.
 
"We didn't do a great job of finishing the game," UWA head coach Allen Sharpe said. "It's tough to keep momentum going when your team is up by 17 points going into the locker room, but it's something good teams find a way to do."
 
With the game knotted up at 6-6 four minutes in, West Alabama went on a 9-0 scoring run to take a 15-6 lead 1 minute and 54 seconds later.
 
The Tigers maintained a 10-point advantage for the final 7:46 of the fist 20 minutes, capping off an 11-4 run with a three-pointer from Jake Jobling to take a 36-19 lead into the break.
 
The Badgers started quick out of the locker room, outscoring the Tigers 8-4 in the first three minutes of the second half. Spring Hill's bench accounted for 16 second-half points, while the Badgers outscored the Tigers 18-10 in the paint during the final 20 minutes.
 
"We had a few possessions at the end where worked the ball to the basket and couldn't get the offensive rebound," Sharpe said. "Either we would would foul, or they would get the bucket."
 
A three-pointer from SHC's Gresyn Rogers pulled the Badgers within seven with 51 seconds left on the clock, the closest scoring margin of the game since the 17:36 mark of the first half.
 
West Alabama converted four of their final six free throws, while holding Spring Hill two field goals in the closing seconds, securing the Tigers second consecutive victory.
 
"We're going to have to bounce back and get a few good days of practice in before we head down to Mobile to face these guys again," Sharpe said."
 
Jobling led the UWA offense, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 7-of-10 from the line for 20 points. Jahmal Lane hit five field goals and six free throws to finish with 16 points.
 
Sean Cranney put up 11 points for the Tigers while assisting on six scores. Matteo Habazin collected 10 points after hitting 5-of-6 shots from the field.
 
Gavin Robinson tallied 11 defensive rebounds and five blocks to lead the Tigers defensively. Lane attributed five of his six rebounds to UWA's defensive effort, and Domonique Alexander recorded three blocks in the win.
 
Walter Massey led the Badgers' offense with 14 points on three field goals and seven free throws, While Brandon Fischer followed with 12 points from the field. Shawn Moore and Rogers each finished with eight points.
 
Chase Shellman contributed six defensive rebounds to the lead the SHC defense, while Fischer added five defensive rebounds. Fischer, Moore and Rogers each contributed a block in the loss.
 
The Tigers will continue after the holidays, hitting the road for a rematch against the Badgers on Nov. 28. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.