LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama women's basketball team returns to Pruitt Hall this week for the final regular-season home games of the year, hosting the University of Montevallo on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. for a Red Out, before closing the home schedule Saturday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. against Auburn University Montgomery on Senior Day.
West Alabama enters the week at 11–11 overall and 9–10 in Gulf South Conference play, while Montevallo comes in at 5–18 (4–14 GSC) and AUM enters the weekend at 3–21 (3–15 GSC).
The Tigers earned a win in the first meeting with Montevallo earlier this season, using a strong second half to secure the road victory. West Alabama also claimed the first matchup with AUM during conference play, setting the stage for key rematches as the regular season winds down.
Offensively, West Alabama continues to be led by
Bellah Machen, who averages 16.0 points per game while shooting over 43 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
Haley Nichols anchors the paint with 13.2 points per game and a strong rebounding presence, while
Nailah Mayes provides another scoring option at 10.1 points per contest. The Tigers have relied on balanced scoring and rebounding throughout conference play as they push toward postseason positioning.
UWA enters the week on a one-game winning streak and has gone 2–3 over its last five games. Last week, the Tigers split a road trip in Tennessee, falling at Union before earning an 81–63 win over Christian Brothers. The recent stretch has featured several close contests as West Alabama continues to build momentum heading into the postseason.
Montevallo arrives in Livingston 2–3 over its last five games, with recent wins over Christian Brothers and Auburn Montgomery. The Falcons are led by Emily Mouser, who averages 12.2 points per game, along with Elyse Hughes and Kylee Norman, who both contribute offensively and on the glass. Montevallo will look to avenge the earlier loss to UWA as the teams meet for the final time this regular season.
Auburn Montgomery enters the weekend 1–4 over its last five contests and will face the University of Alabama in Huntsville on Thursday before traveling to Livingston for Saturday's matchup. The Warhawks are led by Samya Brooks, who averages 14.8 points per game, and Tamora Brown, who adds 13.8 points per contest, while Andie Flatgard provides perimeter scoring and playmaking.
West Alabama fans will have two final opportunities to support the Tigers at home this regular season, with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday during the Red Out and 2:00 p.m. Saturday for Senior Day at Pruitt Hall. The Tigers will then close the regular season on the road at UAH on Friday, Feb. 27 at 5:30 p.m. inside Spragins Hall as UWA looks to carry momentum into the Gulf South Conference Tournament.
