NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The University of West Alabama Men's Basketball team secured a narrow 106-102 victory in Double Overtime over Trevecca Nazarene University at Trojan Fieldhouse on Thursday night.
No. 12 West Alabama's (18-2, 13-1 GSC) strong performance in the paint, scoring 46 points and out-rebounding Trevecca Nazarene (12-7, 7-6 GSC), 51-36, contributed significantly to the win.
"Gutsy, gusty, gusty win," said head coach Nick Woodruff. "Thank goodness we won and we're able to learn from a win, but we have a long way to go. It wasn't pretty or perfect, but I'm so proud of our guys. What a win."
The game opened with UWA taking a quick 7-0 lead, highlighted by a three-pointer from Elliot Tulip at the 18:34 mark. TNU responded with a three-pointer by Brett Wright, narrowing the gap to 7-3. Tulip continued to impact the game by burying four three-pointers in the first nine minutes, helping the Tigers maintain a slim lead. Despite efforts from Da'Shon Fisher, who scored consistently for the Trojans, West Alabama held a 44-39 advantage at the end of the first half.
The second half was marked by a back-and-forth battle between Trevecca Nazarene and West Alabama, with both teams exchanging leads frequently. Jeremy Jackson Jr. opened the scoring with a layup, assisted by Jax Abernathy, giving the Trojans a narrow edge. Caleb Parr responded quickly for the Tigers with a jumper, followed by a three-pointer, to maintain pressure on the home team. In the final minute, free throws from Christian Thompson and Parr put UWA ahead 85-82. The Trojans' Tyler Moore then tied the game at 85 with a three-pointer to send the game into overtime.
The Tigers' Rasean Frederick started the scoring, in overtime, with a layup at 4:42, which was quickly answered by an Abernathy layup for the Trojans at 4:22. Justin Bass hit a crucial three-pointer for the Trojans at 3:30, giving them a brief lead. UWA's Parr responded with a fast-break layup at 1:58, regaining the lead. In the final minute, West Alabama's Jakobe Singleton converted a jumper to put his team ahead, but the Trojans equalized with a free throw by Jeremy Jackson Jr. at 28 seconds that ultimately sent the game into Double OT.
In a tense final stretch, the Tigers edged past the Trojans 106-102. Thompson put West Alabama ahead 94-93 with a free throw to begin the period before Rasean Frederick extended the lead with a layup at the 3:25 mark. The Trojans' Justin Bass tied the game at 96 with a fast-break layup and free throw at 2:32. UWA responded with Singleton's layup at 2:10 and BJ Brown Jr.'s jumper at 1:27, securing a narrow lead. A late three-pointer from Tyler Moore brought the Trojans within three, but Travion McCray's free throw made it a two possession game with six seconds left, sealing the victory for West Alabama.
Elliot Tulip scored 19 points, including five three-pointers, contributing significantly to the offensive effort. Rasean Frederick led all scorers with 22 points and was perfect from the line, converting 10 of 10 free throws. BJ Brown Jr. demonstrated versatility with his first career triple-double, recording 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Caleb Parr added 17 points and collected 11 rebounds, bolstering the team's performance on both ends of the court.
West Alabama will conclude their weekend with a 3:00 p.m. CST matchup against the Lee Flames on Saturday.
