VALDOSTA, Ga. – The University of
West Alabama men’s basketball team
dropped a 45-42 decision to Barry
University in the opening game of the
Loop Pizza Grill Classic, hosted by
Valdosta State University on Friday.
In
a defensive struggle, the Buccaneers of
BU (3-1) overcame a three-point, 23-20,
halftime deficit to pick up the win. BU
out-scored the Tigers (2-5) 25-19 in the
final 20 minutes of the contest. The
two squads combined for 16 made shots in
the second half. UWA connected on seven
baskets (7-of-23) in the second stanza
after shooting 57 percent (11-of-19) in
the opening half. The Red and White
finished the contest with a 42 percent
mark from the field, while holding BU to
just 29 percent shooting for the game.
The Tigers out-rebounded the Buccaneers
41-26, but turned the ball over 25
times.
UWA
jumped out to its largest lead of the
contest at the 12 minute mark of the
first half at 13-2 on one of Brandon
Hampton’s seven baskets in the contest.
The junior forward posted a game-high 15
points in the setback. Hampton recorded
a double-double with 11 rebounds in the
affair. The Buccaneers stormed back to
even the game at 15 apiece with 5:20
left in the period after out-scoring the
Tigers 13-2 over a seven minute span.
In
the second half, UWA took its largest
lead of the period at 25-20 on a tip in
basket from Jason Swanson one minute
deep in the half. BU went on another
scoring run midway through the half to
take its largest lead of the contest at
35-29. The Tigers put together a run to
knot the score at 35 just under the
eight minute mark. UWA’s last lead came
at the 4:09 mark at 40-39 before BU
evened the game for the fifth time. BU
answered with a three-pointer and two
free throws for the winning points in
the final minutes of the contest.
Junior Jonathan Griffin came off the
Tiger bench with ten points and five
rebounds. UWA’s leading scorer, Swanson
added six points and five rebounds. BU
was led by Willie Whitfield with 11
points.
UWA
closes out the two-day event on Saturday
against Saint Leo. Tip off is set for 3
p.m. CST.
