MOBILE, Ala. – After nine lead changes inside the Outlaw Rec Center, West Alabama took control with eight and a half minutes remaining, fighting off a comeback-hungry Spring Hill squad to defeat the Badgers 65-61 in collegiate men's basketball action on Monday.
 
After dropping the season opener, the Tigers improve to 3-1 on a three-game winning streak, while the Badgers fall to 0-8
 
"It was a great win," UWA head coach Allen Sharpe said. "We really looked like a competitive team, and I was extremely proud of our sense of urgency down the stretch."
 
"But, we still have so much room for improvement. We have been talking about the need to step up and make game-winning plays, as well as how keep opposing offenses in the mid-50s."
 
After trailing early on, the Tigers built an eight-point advantage on their strength in the paint, converting five field goals and collecting two defensive rebounds and a steal in the first five minutes.
 
The Badgers closed the 15-7 gap with a 9-2 scoring run to trail 17-16 at the 10:54 mark before the Tigers responded with run of their own, scoring six unanswered to lead 26-18 four minutes later. Spring Hill constructed a 12-3 run to close out the first 20 minutes, taking a 30-29 lead into the intermission.
 
A Jake Jobling three-pointer put the advantage back in West Alabama's hands three minutes into the second half before a William Lloyd jumper knotted the game up at 34 a piece with 15:39 to go in the second.
 
Back-to-back treys by SHC's Raphael Jones put the Badgers in front 41-37 with 13:11 left in the final 20 minutes. Billy Ingram and Jobling answered with three-pointers on consecutive possessions to put the Tigers ahead 47-41, as part of an 8-5 swing in UWA's favor. Toni Kumanovic sunk one from beyond the arc, increasing Tigers' lead to 52-45.
 
Jobling hit his next two three-point attempts, putting UWA in front 58-50 before SHC's Bradnon Fischer and Jones answered with consecutive three-pointers, bringing the Badgers back within two. Jobling punched in one more trey with 24 ticks left on the clock to extend the Tigers' lead to 61-56.
 
After a Badger foul, Sean Cranney went to the line with 16.5 seconds remaining, converting both of his free throws before Kumanovic stole possession back with 9.6 seconds left on the clock.
 
A Badger three pointer pulled SHC within four before the Tigers' ran out the clock on the following inbound, securing the 65-61 victory.
 
Jobling finished as the leading scorer for the Tigers, picking up 20 points while going 7-of-11 from the field with six three-point baskets. Domonique Alexander and Gavin Robinson each recorded 10 points in the win. Alexander totaled eight rebounds and four blocks, and Robinson tallied six total rebounds.
 
Jahmal Lane put up seven points while collecting six assists and five rebounds. Sean Cranney finished with seven points, hitting 100 percent of his shots from the line. Cranney added five assists and two blocks in the game.
 
Walter Massey led the Badgers from the field, going 6-of-9 for 13 points. Fischer turned in 12 points, and added three rebounds as well as three assists on the night. Jones posted 10 points and two assists, followed by William Loyd with nine points. Loyd finished with a team-high seven rebounds.
 
The Tigers will continue at home, facing off against the Warhawks of Auburn Montgomery at Pruitt Hall on Saturday. Tip off is set for 4 p.m.