Men's Basketball | 2/25/2017 8:54:00 PM
Box Score LIVINGSTON, Ala. – A furious late-game rally rendered a familiar result for the University of West Alabama Saturday at Pruitt Hall as the Tigers lost to Mississippi College 74-71 to close out the 2016-2017 season. The loss marked the 13
th time this season the Tigers have dropped a game by five points or less as they cap their campaign at 10-18 overall and 5-17 in Gulf South Conference play.
The Tigers wrap up the 2016-17 season 10-18 overall and 5-17 in the league, while the Choctaws finish at 7-19 on the year and 4-18 in the GSC.
The Tigers trailed 71-66 following a Stacy Mack free throw with 16 seconds left in the contest.
Sean Cranney answered with a pull-up transition three in traffic with 10 seconds remaining to cut it to 72-69. After DeOndre Haynes made two free throws to put the advantage back to four points,
Gavin Robinson dunked it home with six seconds remaining to slice it to 73-71.
Haynes made the front end of a two-shot foul with four seconds left to put it at 74-71 before Tony Kumanovic launched a desperation three at the buzzer that would not fall to punctuate the season.
Haynes and Xavion Dillon did most of the damage for the Choctaws with 25 and 20 points, respectively. The Tigers had five players in double figures with
Johnny Stallworth good for 15, Robinson with 13,
Jahmal Lane with 12 and
Billy Ingram with 10.
Domonique Alexander had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four blocks.
The Tigers were uncharacteristically strong from deep, hitting 8-of-15 three-pointers in the game for an 53.3 percent conversion rate. West Alabama was also strong from the free throw line, shooting 19-of-22 in the contest.
The charity stripe proved a significant differentiator in the game as Mississippi College hit 28-of-38 attempts. Additionally, the Tigers turned the ball over 18 times as opposed to only 10 such miscues by Mississippi College.
