FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The University of West Alabama Men's Basketball team advanced to the South Region Semifinals with a 58-53 win over West Florida on Saturday at Rick Case Arena.
Although they didn't shoot the ball well from the field, West Alabama's (27-5, 19-3 GSC) defense and rebounding dominated the ball game. The Tigers held West Florida (25-9, 15-7 GSC) to 31.5 percent from the floor and 18.5 percent from three while out-rebounding the Argos by 18, leading to their five-point win.
"Our guys stepped up to the challenge today," said head coach Nick Woodruff. "West Florida is a really good basketball team and had averaged 77 point against us in the last two games. To hold that team to 53 points, is an incredible feat."
The first half between UWA and UWF saw a tightly contested battle, ending in a 29–29 tie. The Tigers initially took a 3-0 lead before the Argonauts responded with a bucket from Aric Demings and a three-pointer from Elijah Wyche to take a 5-3 lead. The first half was a defensive battle with both teams shooting in the low 30s. Christian Thompson's layup at 3:55, assisted by Rasean Frederick, gave West Alabama a 26-21 lead, but Colby McAllister quickly leveled the score with a three-pointer at 3:14. The teams continued to heat up offensively, with Jakobe Singleton's jumper giving West Alabama a brief lead before Christian Valarezo's jumper tied the game for West Florida heading into the break.
In the first half, the Tigers shot 32.1 percent from the field while holding the Argos to 34.6 percent from the floor.
UWA held off the UWF in a closely contested second half, securing a 58-53 victory. Singleton was instrumental, scoring back-to-back jumpers at the 11:06 and 10:22 marks, regaining the lead for West Alabama. BJ Brown Jr. contributed a key three-pointer with 4:30 remaining, pushing the lead to nine points. Despite a late surge by West Florida, highlighted by a fast-break three-pointer from McAllister with five seconds left, West Alabama sealed the win with two free throws from Singleton in the final seconds.
Singleton scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds, leading in field goals made. Brown added 12 points and distributed five assists. Thompson recorded a double-double with 14 rebounds and two blocks. Amillion Buggs contributed with two steals and five rebounds.
"If we defend and rebound to that level, that gives us a chance against anyone on any given night," Coach Woodruff concluded.
West Alabama will now play No. 7 UAH on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. EST in the South Region Semifinals.
