Bruce Adams scored 21 points and North Alabama survived a 30-percent shooting afternoon from the floor to notch a 74-70 Gulf South Conference basketball victory over West Alabama at Flowers Hall Saturday.

The win improves the GSC-leading Lions to 12-3 overall and 7-2 in the conference. UWA dropped to 7-9 and 3-6 with a two-game homestand beginning Thursday when Shorter visits Pruitt Hall.

“It’s tough when you come on the road and limit a team to 30-percent from the floor and still lose,” UWA head coach Mike Newell said. “They went to the free throw line 15 more times than we did and then we didn’t make the free throw chances we had. You have to make the most of any opportunities to win on the road in this league.”

UNA made 29-of-35 free throw attempts. West Alabama was just 14-of-22 from the line, while outrebounding the Lions 51-38 and shooting 41-percent from the floor. The Lions made 8-of-10 free throw attempts in the final 1:15 of the game to ice the win.

The difference in the game came off the bench, where UNA outscored the Tigers 22-2. UWA outscored the Lions 37-23 in the paint, but allowed 19 North Alabama points off 15 turnovers.

“We had them on the ropes and couldn’t make a play,” Newell said. “We’re continuing to get better. If we could put two or three wins together I like our chances in the second half of the conference round-robin.”

Sandy Underwood scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead three West Alabama players with double-doubles. Jack Hill followed with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Steven Samuels contributed 18 points and 12 boards.

DeAndre Hersey and Jere Vucica chipped in 14 and 11 points, respectively for North Alabama. Hersey collected 10 rebounds.