Tigers Open GSC At North Alabama On Thursday

LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men’s basketball team will open the 2009 Gulf South Conference schedule on Thursday, Jan. 8, against in-state rival North Alabama in Florence, Ala.  Tip off is set for 8 p.m. at UNA’s Flowers Hall.  The game will be carried on WZNJ 106.5 FM. Live stats will be provided at athletics.uwa.edu.

The Tigers posted a 6-7 mark prior to the start of conference action, including a 17-point, 75-58, win over Henderson State last Saturday to open the new year.  The Lions of UNA enter Thursday’s tilt with a 10-5 overall mark after taking down No. 20 Arkansas Tech, 67-61, in Russellville, Ark. on Monday night.

Junior forward Jason Swanson continues to pace UWA in scoring and rebounding.  The Troy, Ala.-native averages 14.5 points per contest along with 6.9 rebounds a game.  In the four games over the holiday break, Swanson reached double digits in scoring in all four games and finished with a double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds) against Southeastern Bible College.  Senior guard Jamaine Nance averages 11.4 points per contest.  The Huntsville, Ala-product aided his mark with a game-high 19-point performance against HSU.

UWA looks to snap a three-game losing streak in conference lid lifters.  The Red and White last won a conference opener in 2005.  Thursday’s opener will be the 84^th meeting between the Lions and Tigers with UNA holding a 53-30 advantage in the series.  The series with UNA is the oldest in UWA hardwood laurels.

The Tigers continue the opening weekend of GSC activity on Saturday against West Georgia.  Tip off is set for 6:30 p.m. CST at the recently opened Coliseum at UWG.