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Josh Fleming
Joe Chance
52
Shorter SU 2-7, 0-3
69
Winner West Alabama UWA 7-2, 3-0
Shorter SU
2-7, 0-3
52
Final
69
West Alabama UWA
7-2, 3-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Shorter SU 23 29 52
West Alabama UWA 19 50 69

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Defense Crucial in Tigers’ Victory over Shorter, 69-52

LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The offense of the West Alabama Tigers seemed to be an Achilles Heel early, but a strong second half effort aided UWA to claim a 69-52 victory over the Shorter Hawks Saturday evening in Gulf South Conference Men's Basketball action in Pruitt Hall.
 
The Tigers have now won seven straight and improve to 7-2 on the season and 3-0 in the GSC. Shorter falls to 2-7 overall and 0-3 in the conference. 
 
The Hawks won the first half 23-19, but UWA exploded in the second half and outscored Shorter 50-29 in the period to grab a 69-52 win.
 
"First half, we didn't have anyone hitting any shots," said Head coach Allen Sharpe. "I told them at the half it's not complicated. We got to hit some shots or we're not going to win. We don't take bad shots. We just weren't making them. In the second half, shots went in and it seemed like they played with a lot more urgency. Making a shot or two does that. But as bad as we were offensively with 19 points, our defense is what gave a chance to win. We won handily with a poor offensive effort early."
 
Josh Fleming turned in his best performance of the year with 23 points, four rebounds and an assist.
 
"He's got to do that. We challenged him at halftime, he was 1-for-5 and he ends up 9-for-16," said Sharpe. "We're pretty upfront and honest with the guys about how they need to play. Those guys, especially those guards, have to score the ball for us or we're going to end up with 19 points in a half. You can defend all you want, but you're not going to win scoring 19 in a half."
 
LaJuan Hardy finished with 11 points and nine assists while DeAndre Harper also scored 11 points with six rebounds. Ricky Dunnaway grabbed a team leading 10 rebounds and scored eight points.
 
Joe Russell scored 16 and Tayvaughn Major scored 11 to lead Shorter.
 
The Tigers have one more contest before the holiday break in full as West Georgia comes to Pruitt Hall for a GSC contest.
 
"We just don't want to be ready to go on Christmas break yet," said Sharpe. "We're going to have a few days off. Let's not have one foot out the door here and have a good day of practice tomorrow."
 
Tip-off for the game is set for 7:30 p.m. in Livingston, Alabama.
 
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