ALBANY, Ga.- The University of West Alabama men's basketball team defeated the Marauders of Central State by a score of 72-60 in their season opener at the GSC/SIAC Challenge.
Coach Nick Woodruff opened the season with a three guard and two forward lineups consisting of returners Thaddeus Williams, Kuran Garner, CJ Melton, and Terry Durham. Transfer Guard Jaylen Lemons started alongside Williams and Garner in the backcourt.
The Tigers opened the Game on an 8-0 run as Jaylen Lemons scored the first basket of the season off a jumper 22 seconds into the game. Sean Black fouled Kuran Garner, sending him to the free throw line where he hit one of two shots. Thadd Williams added another 2-point jumper at the 18:07 mark. Forward Terry Durham scored his first points of the season on a three at the 16:49 mark, putting the Tigers up 8-0 early.
West Alabama opened the game on an impressive 22-6 run in the first 10:01 of the game, finishing their first half scoring frenzy with a three-point shot from Guard Tyler Talley, setting up the Tigers with a 38-21 halftime lead.
Jaylen Lemons picked up right where Talley left off, hitting nylon on a three to open all second half scorers. The Marauders began to crawl back, as the Tigers went on a 2-minute field goal drought, only to be broken by Terry Durham, putting West Alabama up 46-30 with 17:18 to go. Durham was a force to be reckoned with in the paint tonight, as he finished with a game high 18 points, along with nine rebounds and a block.
The Tigers broke 60 points off a jumper from Durham at the 7:29 mark in the 2nd half, giving the Tigers the 61-46 advantage late. The Tigers controlled the pace of the game into the tail end of the game, as Trevor Dennis scored the Tigers 71st and 72nd points off free throws at 2:05 mark.
Kuran Garner led the Tigers in assists with 4, While Terry Durham led the Tigers in Points and Rebounds. Williams finished with 16 points on the night. Garner and Lemons added ten apiece.
West Alabama moves to 1-0 on the year, while Central State falls to 0-1 on the season. The Tigers will remain in Albany and take on Albany State in the weekend finale on Sunday, November 12th at 3 p.m. ET.
