CARROLTON, Ga. – West Alabama never trailed, holding West Georgia to 25 points below its season average (81.2) and its second-lowest point total of the season en route to a 63-56 Gulf South Conference men's basketball victory at the Coliseum on Monday.
 
With the win, the Tigers (10-14, 5-13) pull within three games of making a post-season appearance and snap a six-game conference skid. The Wolves fall to 9-15 overall, dropping to 6-12 in the league.
 
"I'm really proud of this group," UWA head coach Allen Sharpe said. "A lot of teams would have given up with the way this season has gone, and the way we have lost some games, but credit these guys for sticking with it."
 
"Even though we lost to UAH and UNA, we have been playing better down the stretch since the UAH game, bringing a high level of precision and intensity."
 
After taking a 6-5 lead by the first media timeout, West Alabama turned five West Georgia turnovers into an 11-3 scoring run led by Gavin Robinson and Jahmal Lane. However, a 7-2 run by the Wolves over the ensuing 77 seconds cut the margin back to 19-15.
 
West Georgia continued to close in on West Alabama over the next four minutes, holding UWA without a field goal and pulling within two points on a layup and dunk on consecutive possessions from Stephaun Branch.
 
The Tigers extended the lead back to five on the final field goal before the break as Toni Kumanovic hit Jake Jobling for a three-point basket, taking West Alabama into the locker room with a 29-24 advantage.
 
The Wolves shot just 33 percent from both the field and the line through the opening 20 minutes, while the Tigers converted 36 percent of shots from the floor, 50 percent from three and 70 percent from the line.
 
West Georgia opened the second half with a layup to pull within three, but a stingy West Alabama defense kept the Wolves without a field goal for the next four minutes as UWA widened the margin to 37-28.
 
With UWA leading 43-34, two West Alabama turnovers led to five points for the Wolves in transition, cutting the Tigers' lead down to four. However, the Tigers would force five more turnovers over the next six minutes, denying the Wolves scoring opportunities en route to an 11-6 run capped off by a Johnny Stallworth three-pointer.
 
A West Georgia three-pointer with 38 ticks on the clock brought the score line to 60-55. After Robinson extended the lead back to to seven after two free throws, the Tiger defense forced the Wolves into three off-balanced, unsuccessful three-point tries as the Tigers secured the 63-56 GSC victory.
"We've had lots of wins over the years, but this one was one of the biggest because of the timing this late in the season," Sharpe said. "Now we just need to win a few more."
 
The Tigers edged the Wolves from the floor, but West Alabama held a clear advantage from the line, converting on 16-of-24 (67%) while UWG hit just 6-of-17 (36%).
 
Robinson led all scorers with 25 points while collecting nine rebounds. Lane grabbed 14 points and five rebounds. GSC-leading blocker Domonique Alexander set a season high with eight blocks, and added 12 rebounds and seven points in the win. Sean Cranney posted three steals.
 
Keron Briggs and Branch each netted 15 points for the Wolves, while Shannon Fowler picked up nine boards.
 
The Tigers will continue on the road, facing off against Lee in a GSC-clash on Thursday. Tip off at Paul Dana Walker Arena is slated for 7:30 p.m.