LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Men's Basketball team is set for matchups against Montevallo on Thursday and AUM on Saturday with an opportunity to clinch the outright GSC Regular Season Championship.
No. 13 West Alabama (22-3, 17-2 GSC) can clinch the GSC regular Season Championship with a win over Montevallo (18-6, 14-4 GSC) on Thursday. The Falcons enter the week after a win over Christian Brothers, extending their win streak to eight. As for AUM (5-19, 3-15 GSC), they come into this week's play after a loss to Montevallo.
A balanced offensive attack along with an elite defense and rebounding prowess has led UWA to one of their best regular seasons in School History to this point. Rasean Frederick, Elliot Tulip, Caleb Parr, and BJ Brown Jr. are all averaging double figure points, leading to the Tigers averaging 78.5 points per game as a team. On the defensive end, Brown Jr. and Parr are two of the best perimeter defenders in the league while Christian Thompson dominates the painted area. As a team, West Alabama is holding teams to 64.2 points per game on 40.5 percent shooting, while out-rebounding teams by 9.5 boards per game.
In the first meeting between UWA and Montevallo, the Tigers defeated the Falcons, 71-61, in Montevallo. In that game, Elliot poured in a career-high 23 points on 70 percent shooting and 71.4 percent from three while Brown Jr. recorded 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Jakobe Singleton has been West Alabama's sixth man all season and registered 10 points off the bench on that night.
Since their 10-point loss to UWA in January, Montevallo has gone 8-1 and comes into Thursday's matchup on an eight-game winning streak. In the midst of their winning streak, the Falcons are out scoring teams by 12.8 points. Montevallo is playing their best basketball of the year and possess some of the best players in the GSC on their roster.
Brandon Fussell runs the Falcons' offense, averaging 16.4 points and 5.4 assists per game. Fussell is arguably the best Point Guard in the league and has an All-GSC spot locked up for the 2025-26 season. In the first matchup against West Alabama, Fussell scored 20 points but recorded a season-low one assist.
Forward Derek Moore is arguably the front runner for the GSC Player of the Year award. Montevallo's starting Big is averaging 18.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game on 62 percent shooting. The Falcons defeated West Florida on January 17 and in that game, Moore scored a career-high 51 points on 60 percent shooting. Along with that performance, the senior has recorded five double-doubles this year. UWA's Thompson will more than likely get the start on Moore and will be a key matchup in the contest.
On Saturday against AUM, the Tigers will honor their three seniors in Frederick, Travion McCray, and Albright Obode at halftime of the Women's game.Â
In 2025-2026, AUM hasn't found their rhythm as they've only totaled five wins on the year. The Warhawks are averaging 70.1 points per game while allowing 80.6 points, accumulating a scoring margin of -10.5. AUM's leading scorer, Chappelle Whitney has yet to play after the Christmas break. The junior was the team leader with 17.7 points per game but with his absence, it's put more on the shoulders of Marius Canery and Coby Williams.Â
Canery is averaging 12.8 points per game while Williams brings in an average of 10.9 points. Williams is also the team's leading rebounder with 5.9 boards per game.
AUM will look to spoil UWA's Senior Day on Saturday, while the Tigers look to continue building heading into the postseason.
Tip-off for Thursday's matchup against Montevallo is set for 7:30 p.m. while Saturday's game against AUM is set for 4:00 p.m. The Senior Day ceremony for West Alabama will begin during the halftime of the Women's game at approximately 2:30-2:45 p.m.
