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Justin Allison
Jordan Allison
74
Delta State University DSU 4-9 (4-9 GSC)
78
Winner West Alabama UWA 8-5 (7-5 GSC)
Delta State University DSU
4-9 (4-9 GSC)
74
Final
78
West Alabama UWA
8-5 (7-5 GSC)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Delta State University DSU 32 37 5 74
West Alabama UWA 30 39 9 78

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Furious Comeback Fuels Tiger OT Win

LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Down 13 points at 65-52 with 2:17 left in the game, chances seemed slim for the University of West Alabama Men's basketball team. However, the Tigers went on to outscore the Delta State University Statesmen 17-4 down the stretch to force an extra five minutes on the way to a 78-74 overtime win Saturday afternoon in Gulf South Conference action in Pruitt Hall Gymnasium. 
 
With the win, UWA finished the regular season 8-5 overall and 7-5 in GSC play. Delta State goes to 4-9 to wrap the season overall and in league play. Both teams will be on the road for the quarterfinals of the GSC Men's Basketball Championship Tournament.
 
"Unbelievable game. I'm sitting here trying to figure out how we won that game. Our guys never quit and kept fighting to get us back in the game. I am happy for our team and proud that they never quit," said Head coach Nick Woodruff. "Winning is so hard to do and our guys are figuring that out. We haven't had much adversity over the last four games, and we faced some tonight."
 
Shardarrion Allen started the comeback with a layup with just under two minutes to go. After some missed DSU free throws, Chase Sanders connected on two consecutive three-pointers to cut the score to 65-60 with 1:15 left.
 
After another missed shot at the line by the Statesmen, Sanders hit two free throws and then Robert Davis hit two more free throws to cut the lead to 66-64 with 45 seconds left. 
 
Maalik Cartwright hit a free throw, but Justin Allison came back on the other end to hit a layup through traffic to bring the Tigers within one at 67-66 with just 29 seconds left. Airen Brooks connected on a pair of free throws to put DSU back up three, 69-66, just two seconds later. However, Davis was fouled twice and hit three of four free throws to force the extra period.
 
In the extra period, UWA built a four-point lead at 73-69 with 3:52 left but DSU scored five straight points and led briefly 71-70 with 50 seconds remaining. Allison hit a layup with 34 seconds left and free throws from Allison and Miles put the game away in overtime. 
 
Allison led the Tigers with 23 points, three rebounds, three steals and three assists. Miles poured in 19 points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist. Davis added 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Brice Martin led on the boards with seven rebounds. 
 
As a unit, West Alabama finished 42.6 percent (26-of-61) from the field, 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from three and a crucial 75 percent (21-of-28) from the free throw line.
 
"These guys are buying into the coaching staff and each other and it's starting to be fun. The only downside is we are on the home stretch and now it's win or go home," said Woodruff.
 
Airen Brooks led DSU with 23 points and nine rebounds while Maalik Cartwright finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal. Jaylen Lemons added 15 points.
 
The Statesmen shot 50 percent (26-of-52) from the floor, 33.3 percent (8-of-24) from beyond the arc and 48.3 percent (14-of-29) from the line including 9-for-21 in the second half and overtime periods.
 
West Alabama travels to Cleveland, Tennessee to face the Lee University Flames in the quarterfinals of the GSC Men's Basketball Championship Tournament Tuesday night at 6 p.m. central. 
 
"Coach (Bubba) Smith has done a phenomenal job at Lee and we have our hands full, but we are looking forward to the challenge," said Woodruff. "Anytime you can play in the postseason it's a blessing and we welcome the challenge."
 
Lee, the #2 Seed from the East, finished the regular season 13-4. Links to live stats and to watch on Flo Sports will be available on uwaathletics.com.
 
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