On Saturday, the University of West Alabama Tigers traveled to Valdosta, Ga., to face one of the premier teams in the Gulf South Conference, Valdosta State University Blazers.

The Tigers had n0t beaten VSU in 20 years. They were also looking for their third conference win, something the Tigers haven&8217;t done since 2002.

UWA fought hard in one of its toughest games of the season thus far. They fell short, losing 16-14. The difference turned out to be a third quarter field goal.

UWA got on the board first, when sophomore Jonathan Wright scampered for a 25-yard run to end zone. A Mitch Warfield point-after gave West Alabama an early 7-0 advantage with 6:03 remaining in the first quarter.

The Blazers scored on three straight drives, two late in the second quarter and again at the beginning of the third quarter. They got their first score on a 15-yard touchdown reception, but a missed extra point kept UWA ahead, 7-6. On their next possession, VSU scored on another 15-yard pass to go up 13-7.just before the half.

The Blazers gained 359 yards in the air, completing 37 out of 52 pass attempts in the game.

Valdosta took its first drive of the second half 66 yards, culminating with a 31-yard field goal at the 11:11 mark of the third quarter to give them a 16-7 advantage.

West Alabama added a late score with a little more than a minute and a half to play on a junior James Reiter 48-yard touchdown pass to freshman Dwiuan White.

UWA, 5-3 (2-3m GSC), amassed 338 yards if total offense. Reiter led the ground game with 59 yards. He also passed for 166-yards, completing eight of 18 pass attempts. The defense,was spearheaded by Terrance Campbell and Lewis Thompson&8217;s 10 tackles.

It&8217;s been a long time since we have been able to say that around here.&8221;

The Tigers will continue its road trip on Saturday when they meet the University of Arkansas at Monticello.