LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama Men's Basketball team fell to Georgia Southwestern State University, 80-63, on Wednesday night at Pruitt Hall. 

West Alabama (2-1, 0-0 GSC) struggled offensively from the opening tip, shooting 37.5 percent from the floor and 16.5 percent from three while Georgia Southwestern (3-0, 0-0 PBC) shot 51 percent from the field and 50 percent from three. 

The game commenced with a tightly contested start, with UWA gaining an early edge through two free throws by Elliot Tulip at 16:29. GSW answered quickly, highlighted by a Matthew Webster dunk assisted by Amir Reaves at 15:46, giving them a brief lead. BJ Brown Jr. contributed significantly for West Alabama with multiple layups, keeping the home team competitive. However, the Hurricanes pulled ahead late in the half, aided by a three-pointer from Rafael Rubel at 4:37 and a late dunk by Faustin Phanor at 50 seconds. The first half concluded with the Hurricanes ahead, 36-24.

The Tigers went into the locker room, shooting 29.4 percent from the floor and 0-11 from three. On the other side, GSW went into the break, carrying a 50 percent field goal and three-point percentage.

Georgia Southwestern's Markel Freeman opened the second half with a three-pointer for the Hurricanes, extending their lead to 39-24. West Alabama responded quickly with a layup from Christian Thompson, closing the gap to 39-26. GSW maintained pressure, with Reaves hitting a three at 18:08 to push the score to 42-31. Despite efforts from West Alabama, including buckets from Rasean Frederick and Thompson, the Hurricanes' consistent scoring, led to GSW taking an 80-63 win to spoil the home opener for the Tigers. 

Rasean Frederick recorded 14 points with a 7-for-11 shooting performance and added seven rebounds. Thompson posted a double-double, scoring 12 points and collecting 12 rebounds while also blocking a shot. Brown Jr. contributed 10 points and dished out four assists, finishing with four rebounds.