LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama Men's Basketball team (7-1, 3-0 Gulf South) secured a definitive 64-49 victory over the Lee Flames (5-2, 2-1 Gulf South) on Thursday night at Pruitt Hall. 

Another dominant defensive effort from West Alabama (7-1, 3-0 GSC) led them to their fifth consecutive win as the Tigers held Lee (5-2, 2-1 GSC) to a season-low 49 points on 32 percent shooting and 30.4 percent from three. 

"I'm so thrilled with our defensive effort that we put in tonight," said head coach Nick Woodruff. "Lee puts a lot of pressure on you with the amount of actions that they run, and our guys did a great job. I'm just so proud of them."

The first half between West Alabama and Lee began with Christian Thompson recording a dunk just 18 seconds into the game, which was followed by a layup from Elliot Tulip, giving UWA a quick 4-0 lead. The Flames' Dayveun Anderson responded with a three-pointer at 16:48, narrowing the gap to 6-5. Caleb Parr extended the Tigers' lead with a 3-pointer at 16:22, assisted by Brown Jr., pushing the score to 9-5. Later in the half, Lee's Zach Gray tied the game at 17 with a three at the 7:49 mark. The remainder of the half was a defensive battle with neither team able to pull too far out in front. A put back from Thompson towards the end of the half gave the Tigers a 26-25 lead at break. 

West Alabama shot 39.3 percent from the floor and 16.7 percent from three while holding Lee to 39.1 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three. 

The Tigers' defense was impalpable in the second half as they held the Flames to 26.7 percent and 25 percent from three. Lee missed their first 11 shots from the floor in the second half, leading to UWA opening up a 10-point lead. Back-to-back baskets from Tylon Chatman got Lee back on track for a moment before buckets from Brown Jr. and Thompson put the Tigers back up nine, 45-36, with 8:16 left to play. West Alabama continued to slowly extend their lead until Caleb Parr put the game out of reach with a three at the 2:08 mark that put the Tigers up, 60-46. A pair of free throws from Brown Jr. and Travion McCray solidified a 64-49 win for UWA. 

Thompson dominated the game with 12 points,18 rebounds, and four stocks (blocks + steals) while Brown Jr. led the offense with 16 points and six assists. Parr also recorded 15 points and six rebounds. 

West Alabama will conclude this week's play with a 4:00 p.m. matchup against Trevecca Nazarene on Saturday.