UWA smacks CBU, 83-65
Published 10:32 am Sunday, February 24, 2013
LIVINGSTON – West Alabama had four players score in double figures and shot 55-percent from the floor on the way to an 83-65 Gulf South Conference basketball victory over Christian Brothers Saturday at Pruitt Hall.
The win was the second straight for UWA and improves the Tigers to 10-13 overall and 6-10 in GSC play. CBU had a three-game winning streak snapped, dropping to 16-8 and 11-5.
West Alabama started the game at a blistering pace from the field, making 24 of its first 36 shots, 16 of 25 (64%) in the first half to take a 38-31 lead into the break. The Tigers ended up scoring 83 points on a Christian Brothers team that allows just 60.2 per game, tops in the GSC and 11th in the nation.
“The kids are starting to get it and we have the right combination working now,” UWA head coach Mike Newell said. “We have kids who have proven they can score in high school and in junior college. Now they are proving they can score at this level. I’m proud of our guys.”
Sandy Underwood scored 19 points to pace West Alabama. Jack Hill came off the bench to add 18 on an 8-for-9 shooting night. Steven Samuels chipped in 15 points and Aaron Cobb 12. Samuels also collected nine rebounds for UWA, who outrebounded the Bucs 40-24.
“We don’t care who scores the points. There is going to be a different hero every night,” Newell said. “We are rebounding well and we are going to be okay defensively because we are going to guard you.”
Trey Casey scored 19 points to lead Christian Brothers. Ryan Fleming followed with 15. Michael Drake and Drew Hildreth added 13 and 10, respectively.
West Alabama travels to Union on Thursday before closing the regular season Saturday by hosting North Alabama.