LIVINGSTON, Ala. – After seven lead changes in a tight first half, West Alabama men's basketball seized an early second half lead it would not relinquish as the Tigers defeated the Lee Flames 71-60 in Gulf South Conference action at Pruitt Hall on Monday.
The Tigers improve to 7-4 on the season, moving to 2-3 in league play. The Flames fall to 6-5 overall, dropping to 2-3 in the GSC.
"We did a much better job of handling the pressure of a late lead tonight," UWA head coach Allen Sharpe said. "We talked about eliminating plays that put our opposition back in the game, and although we gave up a couple, we finished it out down the stretch."
Lee took control early on, outscoring the Tigers 7-2 in the first three and half minutes of play. West Alabama responded with a 14-2 run over the next five minutes of the opening half, surging to a 16-9 lead.
After the Flames tied the ballgame for the third time, Lee and West Alabama traded baskets until LU's Parker Suedekum hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to put the Flames ahead 33-30 at the half.
A layup from Domonique Alexander gave the Tigers a 35-33 lead with 18:26 left on the scoreboard, sparking an offensive push that gave UWA a 44-36 advantage four minutes later.
Lee rallied to pull within four midway through the final 20 minutes, but the Tigers responded with 10-2 scoring run that saw UWA take its largest lead of the night, a 12-point, 59-47 advantage with five and half to play.
For the third time in as many games, the Tigers were forced to play through a defensive press, moving the ball up the court and converting 7-of-8 free throws in the closing minutes to secure the 71-60 conference victory.
Gavin Robinson led the UWA offense with 19 points, hitting 7-of-11 field goals and 4-of-5 free throws. Jahmal Lane chipped in 13 points, followed by Johnny Stallworth with 12. Robinson and Lane combined for 16 rebounds, each with eight in the win. Alexander finished with two blocks.
Keevin Tyus led the offensive effort for the Flames, totaling 19 points with eight field goals, two of which came from beyond the arc. Cody Farley finished with 13 points, shooting 5-of-11 from the field and converting 100 percent from the line. Tyus and Levi Woods each tallied five rebounds, while Farley collected three steals.
The Tigers will hit the road for their next two GSC matchups, beginning with Mississippi College on Saturday. Tipoff at A.E. Wood Coliseum is set for 4 p.m.
