Box Score BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — West Ala. (0-0, 0-0 Gulf South) edged the University of Alabama at Birmingham (0-1, 0-0 American) 62-59 on Monday at Bartow Arena, overcoming a 13-point first-quarter deficit.
The game opened with West Ala. facing the Blazers at center court. Despite an initial tie at 6-6 midway through the quarter, the Tigers struggled with turnovers, committing seven in the first 10 minutes.
Callie Cowan and
Bellah Machen contributed offensively, with Cowan scoring on a fast break layup and Machen draining a 3-pointer. However, UAB capitalized on free throws and turnovers, pulling ahead to end the quarter with a 20-7 lead.
In the second quarter, West Ala. made a significant push with a 10-point contribution from the paint, highlighted by Machen's three-pointer at 7:42 and subsequent layup at 7:20. These plays helped reduce the deficit against the Blazers.
Haley Nichols also added to the effort with crucial layups, including one at 6:48 assisted by Cowan. However, UAB's timely shooting, including a three-pointer by Jordan Rosier at 1:47, kept the scoring tight. The quarter concluded with both teams adding 14 points to their totals, leaving the score at UAB 34, West Ala. 21.
West Ala. made a strong push in the third quarter, outscoring the Blazers 23-16. Nichols led the charge with key contributions in the paint, scoring multiple layups.
Kendall Lacoste added to the momentum with a fast-break layup and subsequent free throws, closing the gap. Despite UAB's attempts to maintain their lead, the Tigers' effective play in the paint and timely assists, particularly from
Chardai Watkins, narrowed the score to 50-44 by the end of the quarter.
West Ala. made a remarkable comeback in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, highlighted by Machen's two critical three-pointers. With the game tied at 59-59, Machen delivered a decisive three-pointer with just one second remaining on the clock, securing the lead for the Tigers. Earlier in the quarter, West Ala. had steadily chipped away at the Blazers' lead, with contributions from Watkins and
Jernae Ringgold. The quarter ended with West Ala. outscoring UAB 18-9, clinching the victory with a final score of 62-59.
West Alabama now turns its attention to the SIAC-GSC Crossover. The Tigers will travel to Mobile, Alabama to face Spring Hill College and Clark Atlanta on November 14.
