University of West Alabama

LIVINGSTON, Ala. - Despite holding West Georgia to its lowest point total of the season, as well double-doubles from Gavin Robinson and Jahmal Lane, West Alabama fell to the Wolves 53-50 in its Gulf South Conference opener at Pruitt Hall on Monday.

The Tigers (4-2, 0-1) out-rebounded the Wolves (4-3, 1-0) 44-22, but doubled UWG's total turnovers with 24 giveaways on the night.

"We missed a big opportunity to win this game," UWA head coach Allen Sharpe said. "Going in, West Georgia was averaging 90 points per game, and we held them to 53.

"However, turnovers really cost us in this one. The press hurt us late, and forced turnovers on our part that gave them easy baskets."

After West Alabama took a 6-0 lead early in the game, West Georgia put together a 7-0 run to claim its only lead of the first half, pulling ahead of the Tigers 7-6 with 15:21 on the scoreboard.
 
Eight minutes later, UWA surged to an 18-11 lead, its second largest advantage of the night. The Wolves cut the deficit down to 28-25 by the halftime buzzer with the help of a dunk and 3-pointer from Stephaun Branch on consecutive possessions.

As the league's top scoring defense in UWA continued to grind against its second-leading scoring offense in UWG, the final 20 minutes saw the score tied on six occasions and the lead change hands seven times.

After Toni Kumanovic tied the contest for the final time at 46-46, 3-pointers from West Georgia's Aaron Cameron and Willie Evans helped put the Wolves in front 53-50 with 2:03 left to play.

Lane's 12th defensive rebound of the night gave the Tigers one last chance with 28 ticks remaining on the clock. West Alabama put three attempts up from beyond the arc to force overtime, but could not connect.

Robinson and Lane led the Tigers on both sides of the ball, accounting for 34 combined points and 28 total rebounds. Robinson finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Lane tallied 15 points and a season-high 13 rebounds to grab his first double-double of the year. 

Branch put up 18 points for the Wolves, going 50 percent from the field and 3-of-7 from the line. Fowler added 11 points, converting 5-of-11 field goals and 1-of-6 free throws. Fowler also led the UWG defensive effort, collecting seven defensive rebounds and three blocks.

The Tigers will hit the road, taking on North Alabama in GSC play on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.