LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama Men's Basketball team is set to host No. 4 seed UAH in the Gulf South Conference Semifinals on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
No. 1 seed West Alabama (25-4, 19-3 GSC) advanced with a 75-60 quarterfinal victory over Delta State University on Monday. UAH (21-8, 15-7 GSC) secured its semifinal berth with a 110-95 win against Valdosta State University.
The Tigers and Chargers split their regular-season series. West Alabama earned a 70-54 win in Livingston, while UAH claimed a 70-64 victory in Huntsville.
In the first meeting, West Alabama held UAH to its lowest scoring output of the season, limiting the Chargers to 54 points on 29.5 percent shooting and just 17.9 percent from three-point range. In the rematch, free throws proved costly for the Tigers, who shot 10-of-25 from the line in the six-point loss. Although UAH struggled from the field again, the Chargers connected on 11-of-24 attempts from beyond the arc, contributing to their victory.
West Alabama enters Thursday's matchup led by reigning GSC Defensive Player of the Year Christian Thompson, along with All-GSC selections Rasean Frederick (First Team) and BJ Brown Jr. (Third Team). Thompson also earned Third Team All-GSC honors.
One of the top defenders in the nation, Thompson anchors a Tigers defense that ranks among the top 15 nationally in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense. In the quarterfinal win over Delta State, Thompson drew the assignment of DaCory Porter and held him to 33 percent shooting, playing a key role in the 15-point victory.
Frederick enters the semifinals following a 12-point performance against Delta State, matching his 12.2 points per game average. Brown Jr. led the Tigers with 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting, continuing to demonstrate his ability to impact the game as both a scorer and playmaker.
West Alabama has effectively contained a UAH offense that averages 83.5 points per game. Replicating its defensive performance from the first meeting could prove pivotal on Thursday.
UAH, however, comes in playing some of its best basketball of the season, winning seven of its last eight games, with its only loss during that stretch coming to Montevallo. In the quarterfinal win over Valdosta State, the Chargers shot a season-high 66.7 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range.
Second Team All-GSC selection Quentin Toles leads UAH, averaging 17.0 points per game while shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc. Toles scored 26 points in Monday's win over Valdosta State and is averaging 17.0 points against West Alabama this season. While he's averaging 17.0 points against the Tigers, UWA has done a great making it tough on the Guard as he's only shooting 34.6 percent from the floor in their two meetings.
Thomas Allard, also a Second Team All-GSC honoree, averages 14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. The junior Guard presents matchup challenges with his size and versatility. Allard exited Monday's game early due to injury after making his first two shots, and his status for Thursday remains uncertain. If unavailable, UAH will look to Knute Wood, Matthew Thurman, and Jordan Mabe to step into larger roles.
Tip-off between West Alabama and UAH is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Pruitt Hall.
