LIVINGSTON, Ala. —After a rare Saturday off during the Gulf South Conference season, the University of West Alabama men’s basketball team will hit the road for the first time in conference action, traveling to in-state rival North Alabama on Monday night.  Tip off is set for 8 p.m. at UNA’s Flowers Hall.

The Tigers will be looking for their first GSC win of the season after falling to UAH and West Georgia during the opening weekend of conference play.  Senior Michael Billings paced UWA Tigers in the two contests, averaging 13.5 points in the two contests.  The Albany, Ga. native posted double figure scoring in both affairs, registering 14 points against UAH and 13 in the tilt against his home state school, UWG.  Against the Wolves, Billings was credited with a season-best five steals and dished out five assists. 

Last season the two in-state foes split the season series with each winning on their respective home courts.  UWA claimed a 79-69 win over the Purple and Golf Lions at Pruitt Hall while UNA topped the Tigers 109-85 in Florence.  The win by the Red and White last season snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Lions in the series.

The Lions enter the conference dual with a 13-6 overall record and 1-1 in GSC activity.  UNA opened league play with a win over West Florida, but dropped an overtime decision to Valdosta State on Monday night.  Monday’s game will be the GSC home opener for the Lions.  Casey Holt leads Purple and Gold offensive charge, turning in a 17.8 scoring average per contest.

The game will be carried on the radio at Y104.9 FM.  Live stats of the game are available on the UNA Athletic web site – www.roarlions.com.

Following Monday’s tilt with UNA, the Tigers continue road competition on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Valdosta State.  UWA returns home to face West Florida on Monday, Jan. 18.