CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The West Alabama men’s basketball team overcame a 16-point deficit in Saturday’s matchup, but it was not enough to keep its winning streak alive. The Tigers fell 66-63 to Lee University inside Paul Dana Walker Arena in Cleveland, Tenn.

This week’s Gulf South Conference Player of the Week, Kortrijk Miles, led UWA in the effort with a 27-point, 10-rebound game for his fifth double-double of the season. The Dallas, Texas native hit 7 of 17 from the floor and 12 of 12 at the free-throw line for the game-high.

Two other Tigers scored in the double-figures, with Shardarrion Allen and Justin Allison picking up 10 points each. Other contributors include Robert Davis and Te Smith, with 9 and 7 points, respectively.

As a squad, West Alabama hit 19 of 59 (32.2%) from the floor, including 5 of 19 (26.3%) in three-point range. The Tigers made 95.2 % of their shots at the line, missing only one on 21 attempts.

The Flames were more accurate than UWA from the floor. Lee hit 23 of 46 shots (50.0%) from the field, with 8 of 17 (47.1%) from beyond the arc. The Flames had a little less success at the line, hitting 12 of 14 at 85.7%.

Lee dominated the first half, serving West Alabama its second-lowest scoring period of the season and outscoring the Tigers by 13 points.

The first couple of minutes of the competition started with a scoring back and forth, until the Flames went on a 7-0 run for a 13-8 lead with 14:27 left in the half.

After a three-minute scoring drought, Miles added points for UWA on a driving layup, cutting Lee’s lead to 13-10.

Despite several attempts to get back in the game, the Tigers closed the first half trailing the Flames, 37-24.

Coming back from the break, UWA struck first and kept the energy up to stage a slow comeback. With 7:24 left, the Tigers trailed Lee by three (50-47).

West Alabama received its first lead of the competition since the opening minutes. A jumper by Allen and back-to-back free throws by Miles gave UWA a 51-50 advantage with under five minutes remaining.

In the period, the Tigers outscored Lee 39-29. The Flames did not give up and outpaced UWA in the final minutes for the 66-63 victory.

UWA will look to rebound from Saturday’s loss as it travels to Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday, Jan. 12. The Tigers face Auburn Montgomery at 7 p.m. inside the AUM Athletics Complex.

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LIVINGSTON – West Alabama women’s basketball player Tazsa Garrett-Hammett has been named Gulf South Conference Player of the Week based on her performance against West Florida on December 31 and against Valdosta State on January 2.

Garrett-Hammett leads the Tigers offense, averaging 15.6 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game.

The LaGrange, Georgia native saw a season-high game, leading the Tigers with 31 points, seven rebounds, and three steals in the 70-57 victory over West Florida on December 31.

The senior forward also scored eight points, brought down six boards, and dished out four assists against Valdosta State on January 2.

Garrett-Hammett and the rest of the Tigers will be back in action Saturday, Jan. 8. The Tigers battle Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.

To stay connected with the UWA women’s basketball team, follow @UWAwbb on Instagram and @UWA_WBB on Twitter. General athletic news, along with game recaps and box scores, can be found at uwaathletics.com. Additional updates and information are available @UWAAthletics on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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TUSKEGEE – Gabriel Dunkle had the golden toe for West Alabama in its 33-7 victory over Tuskegee University Saturday afternoon. The senior kicker went 4-for-5 in field goals, including a career-long 47-yarder to begin the scoring effort for the Tigers.

UWA (2-0) had 467 yards of total offense (173 rushing, 295 passing) while holding the Golden Tigers (0-2) to 194. West Al’s defense was a stopping force and halted Tuskegee scoring attempts in the red zone with three interceptions and one forced fumble for a UWA recovery.

Quarterback Jack McDaniels was 23 for 38 through the air for 294 yards and one touchdown. James Smith, III rushed for 134 yards and a score for West Alabama, and Bayley Blanchard caught four passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, Josh Hatcher tallied 12 tackles (nine solo, three assist) with two tackles for a loss of five yards. Undraez Lillyrecorded seven total tackles (five solo, two assist) with 3.5 tackles for a loss of 10 yards, and Chris Terrell had five solo tackles, three for a loss of 10 yards.

Shamar Lewis, SchDarren Archie, and Michael Anderson have a single interception, and Anderson forced one fumble.

Dunkle began the scoring effort on the game’s first possession. Opening the game with several first downs, the Tigers found themselves in a 4^th and 10 situation. Dunkle came on the field and scored the first points for his team while breaking his career-long record with a 47-yard field goal.

Minutes later, West Alabama scored its first touchdown of the game. Reggie Davenport racked up 30 rushing yards for five carries in a 7-play possession, punctuated by a one-yard carry for a touchdown. Dunkle landed the PAT, giving the Tigers a 10-0 advantage over Tuskegee.

West Alabama started off the second quarter with yet another scoring possession. Being unable to get a first down in the run, Dunkle scored another field goal. This time 30-yarder to extend the West Al lead to 13-0.

Later in the quarter, with 6:02 left in the half, McDaniels completed a 43-yard touchdown pass in the possession’s first play. The point after was good for a score of 20-0.

The only points in the third quarter came off the foot of Dunkle. The Glendora, Calif. native landed his third field goal of the night to add three points to the UWA score.

Tuskegee scored its only points of the game in its first possession of the fourth quarter. After eight plays and 59 yards, Golden Tiger quarterback Bryson Williams completed a 21-yard pass to Steven Hodges for a touchdown. The point after was good to cut UWA’s lead to 23-7.

West Alabama answered on its next possession. Dunkle grabbed another piece, this time a 25-yarder.

In the game’s final minutes, Senior running back James Smith, III ran for 62 yards for a touchdown.

UWA returns to action on Thursday, Sept. 16, when they take on North American University inside of Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

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LIVINGSTON – The University of West Alabama Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2021 has been announced with Jana Fields (softball), Larry Lightfoot (football), and Football Head Coach and Director of Athletics Bobby Wallace chosen for induction, as well as the 1971 National Championship Football Team.

“We are so thrilled to announce the 2021 class of Coach Wallace, Jana Fields, and Larry Lightfoot in the 2021 class,” said current athletic director Kent Partridge. “Each is long overdue for this recognition.”

Along with the class of 2021, the 2020 class of Malcolm Butler (football), Kyle Caldwell (football), Kent Partridge (administrator and athletic communications), Tanner Rainey (baseball), and Houston Young (Track and Field) will also be inducted on the morning of October 16, 2021, prior to the Tiger football game against conference rival Valdosta State.

“We are also happy to finally be able to present the 2020 class that missed last season’s induction due to the pandemic,” Partridge continued. “Malcolm Butler, Tanner Rainey, Kyle Caldwell, and Houston Young make up a stellar class that I am humbled to be inducted with.”

The event will be the first in a revamped UWA Athletics Hall of Fame induction celebration ceremony that gets underway with a Hall of Fame Breakfast at 8:15 a.m. at the Bell Conference Center on UWA Campus.

Previous inductees will be honored alongside this year’s class with a newly-minted HOF medallion in the ceremony that begins at 9 a.m. HOF members will also be introduced on the field during the football game, while 2020 and 2021 inductees will serve as honorary game captains versus Valdosta. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.

The first UWA Athletics Hall of Fame induction was in 1981 to honor former student-athletes, coaches, students, and administrators who have represented the university with outstanding play, coaching, or leadership, both while on campus and/or in their careers. Since its inception, 90 members, including the three new inductees, have been recognized.

For those wishing to submit a nomination, there is a five-year waiting period for former UWA student-athletes and coaches. Administrators have no waiting period.

Following are the thumbnail sketches for each of the 2020 inductees:

JANA FIELDS – SOFTBALL – 1994-97
Two-time All-Gulf South Conference pitcher (1996, 1997) … 1997 GSC All-Tournament Team … Held UWA’s single-season and career strikeout records when career ended … Owns UWA record for shutouts in a season with nine … Currently second all-time at West Alabama in career wins (55), shutouts (22) and strikeouts (531) … Third on UWA career list in appearances (119), starts (109), complete games (100) and innings pitched (732.2) … 1.62 career ERA is fourth all-time … Double-digit years of NCAA coaching experience at IUPUI, Saint Leo and Eckerd … Sunshine State Conference softball chairperson in 2000-01 … Served on NCAA Division II South Region Advisory Committee from 2000-04.

LARRY LIGHTFOOT – FOOTBALL – 1971-73
Star running back on the National Championship team of 1971….Rushed for 458 yards after being moved from receiver in mid-season….caught 10 passes for 240 yards that season….Had 201 yards rushing in 1972 and 318 in 1973….caught 11 passes for 165 yards in 1972 and 20 passes for 211 yards in 1973….returned 23 kickoffs for 783 yards in his career, an average of 34 yards per return……averaged 42.6 yards a return in 1972…scored 17 touchdowns in his career, including 12 in 1971….drafted in the 8^th round by the New York Jets.

BOBBY WALLACE – FOOTBALL COACH – DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Served as both head football coach and director of athletics at UWA … Generally credited for the positive change in Tiger football and in UWA athletic facilities while serving in both positions … Served as head football coach from 2006-10, laying the cornerstone for the success the program has enjoyed over the last few years, including three Gulf South Conference championships since 2012 … 40-year coaching career, 28 as a head coach in both NCAA Division I and Division II … Won three consecutive Division II national championships (93, 94, 95) … 11-time Division II football playoff participant … GSC and Division II Coach of the Quarter Century (1972-1997) … Member of the Division II Football Hall of Fame, GSC Hall of Fame, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, and UNA Sports Halls of Fame … Winningest coach in GSC history (152 victories) … National Coach of the Year three times … GSC Coach of the Year four times … Only coach to win seven GSC Championships … Three national championships ties him for the most championships by any coach in the division’s 39-year history … Led 1993-95 UNA teams to 41-1 record, making him the first coach in college football history to win 40 games in just three seasons …. Multi-sport athlete at Callaway High School in Jackson, Mississippi … Lettering three years each in football, basketball, baseball, and track at CHS … Also earned prep All-America honors … Three-year starter at Mississippi State as a defensive back while earning his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education in 1976.

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LIVINGSTON – University of West Alabama softball coach Carie Dever-Boaz announced her decision to retire from coaching on Tuesday after 13 seasons as a collegiate head coach, five of which were with the Tigers.

The former softball coach will now assume the role of associate athletic director at Magnolia Heights School in Senatobia, Miss.

“Retiring from college coaching was not something I expected to happen this year, but when God opens a door, you say yes,” Dever-Boaz said of the decision. “I adore my team and will miss them greatly, but this amazing opportunity is allowing me to put my family first. Livingston has a huge part of my heart and always will. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger.”

Dever-Boaz was named the UWA softball coach in June 2016. Since that time, she led the Tigers to a 97-121 record with five All-GSC team members, one NFCCA All-South Region team member, two GSC Players of the Week, one GSC Pitcher of the Week, and one GSC All-Tournament Team honoree.

“We appreciate everything Coach Dever-Boaz has contributed during her tenure as head coach at UWA. We wish her nothing but the best in her new role,” said Director of Athletics Kent Partridge. “Collegiate softball will miss her presence.”

Before joining the West Alabama staff, Dever-Boaz served as an assistant coach for three years at Northwest Community College and eight seasons as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks.

In eight seasons at Arkansas, Dever-Boaz coached the Razorbacks to five SEC Tournament appearances and two NCAA Regional berths. In 1999, the SEC named Dever-Boaz Coach of the Year after leading the Razorbacks to a 46-29 record and a runner-up finish in the conference tournament. She coached eight All-SEC players, one all-region performer, and two NCAA regional all-tournament players at Arkansas. Her record at Arkansas was 244-274-1 overall, 103-135 in Southeastern Conference play.

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LIVINGSTON – Right-handed pitcher Cade Miller has chosen the University of West Alabama as his college home. While at UWA, Miller will be an active part of the Tiger baseball team under the direction of head coach Gary Rundles.

“We are excited to add Cade to our roster,” said Rundles of the incoming freshman. “He has a tremendous upside and outstanding working ethic and character.”

“Cade has the ability to help our team as a freshman with an upper 80s fastball that will continue to get better over time. He is the brother of Evan Miller that pitched for the Tigers a few years ago and will be another great addition to our 2022 roster.”

Miller is a recent graduate of Curry High School in Jasper, Ala. As a Yellow Jacket, he aided the team in back-to-back Walker County Championship titles. In the most recent tournament, Miller struck out 16 batters, leading Curry to a 3-1 victory over Dora High School. He was honored as the tournament MVP.

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LIVINGSTON – The University of West Alabama Athletics Department adds North American University to the 2021 football schedule. The non-conference competition extends the schedule to an 11-game season with six games at home.

The Tigers will host NAU on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. inside Tiger Stadium. The game will be streamed live on the UWA website and broadcast on SLY 104.9.

“We are very excited to get a sixth home game added to the fall schedule,” said head coach Brett Gilliland. “Thursday night games in Tiger Stadium always have a great atmosphere. We look forward to seeing our fans back in the stadium this fall.”

The midweek contest will be the first time that the two teams meet on the field. NAU is an independent program looking to join the NAIA in Fall 2022. The Stallions held a 2-5 record for the 2020-21 season, defeating CMP Prep College (LA) and Community Christian College.

UWA closed the abbreviated two-game 2021 spring season undefeated with victories over Limestone University and Savannah State University. The Tiger football season was cut short due to concerns for the Covid-19 pandemic.

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LIVINGSTON, Ala. – A pair of jump shots by Justin Debuck down the stretch lifted Union to a 59-55 Gulf South Conference men’s basketball victory over West Alabama Friday at Pruitt Hall Gym.

Union improved to 7-4 with its second win over UWA in three outings. West Alabama is 3-2. The Tigers and the Bulldogs play again Saturday at 2 p.m.

“Holding that team to 59 points is a nice job by us, but it’s awful hard to beat anybody in this league when you score just 55,” Woodruff said. “Give them credit. They held us to 37 percent shooting from the floor just like they did in the loss up there.”

UWA went on a 14-2 run midway through the first half to give the Tigers a 23-14 lead with just over seven minutes to play before the break. Union then rallied to make five of their last six field goals to cut the Tiger lead to 28-24 with 3:29 left in the half and managed to shave the Tiger lead to 32-30 by intermission.

In a game where the lead changed hands eight times and was tied six times, Union took a 51-49 lead on a three-pointer from Tylandrius Parks with 7:13 left in the game and never trailed again. The Bulldogs also limited UWA to just 2-of-11 shooting from the floor to end the game.

After a layup from Tiger guard Justin Allison tied the game at 55-55 with 1:21 left, Debuck hit jumpers at 1:02 and 14.1 seconds to ice the win for Union. Debuck’s last bucket came as time expired on the shot clock.

Parks scored 20 points to lead all scorers. Hunter Vick chipped in 12 for the Bulldogs, who shot 51 percent from the floor (24-of-47). The Bulldogs also converted 5-of-11 three-point attempts while West Alabama was 7-of-23 from long range. JC Hawkins had eight rebounds.

Shardarrion Allen played 40 minutes and scored 15 points to pace West Alabama. Roger Davis chipped in 10. Allison led Tiger rebounders with seven.

“It’s really hard to win,” Woodruff said. “In a game like this a couple of possessions are the difference in the game, the difference between winning and losing.

“There aren’t a lot of secrets anymore because at this point there isn’t much that is going to change with either team,” UWA head coach Nick Woodruff said. “We just have to show up and see who wants it more.”

Saturday’s meeting will be the fourth in 16 days between West Alabama and Union after the Tigers had not played for 13 days prior to Friday’s outing due to pandemic precautions.

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CLINTON, Miss. – The University of West Alabama Women’s basketball team got off to a second slow start in as many games, but once more the Tigers persevered and found a way to grind out a 60-54 victory over the Mississippi College Lady Choctaws Tuesday night in Gulf South Conference West Division action in A.E. Wood Coliseum.

Mississippi College (3-4) got out to a strong start and outscored UWA (5-3, 4-3 GSC) 15-9 in the opening quarter while limiting the Tigers to 33.3 percent (4-of-12) from the floor. However, the Tigers completely reversed the trend from that point going 56.4 percent (22-of-39) the rest of the way.

“MC played great defensively to start the game. They gave us some looks that we had to adjust too early, “said Head coach Rusty Cram. I thought our defense got us going. Really proud of the effort. We pushed the ball up the court better and got some mismatches inside as a result. This was a solid win on the road.”

West Alabama went on the finish the game 51 percent (26-of-51) from the floor and 50 percent (8-of-16) from the free throw line. The Tigers didn’t connect from beyond the arc going and missed five attempts

“They pressured us all night and took the threes away. Our Defense won it tonight,” said Cram.

The UWA defense limited the Lady Choctaws to just 32 percent (16-of-50) from the floor and 22.2 percent (4-of-18) from three. Free throws kept MC in the game as the team was 81.8 percent (18-of-22) from the line.

Bria Dent led all scorers with 17 points along with five rebounds and two steals. Naelyn Rios contributed 14 points and a team leading eight rebounds along with two assists while Tazsa Garrett-Hammett finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, a block, one steal and an assist. Jala Williams led the team with five assists will chipping in with eight points.

After outscoring MC, 14-11, in the second quarter to cut MC’s lead to 26-23 at the half. The Third quarter is where the Tigers really shined and where Dent did most of her damage. The junior from Birmingham, Alabama scored 10 of the team’s 18 points in the quarter to help give UWA.a 41-34 lead heading to the fourth.

The final quarter went back and forth with the Tigers hitting seven of 14 shots in the period coupled with five throws while the Lady Choctaws were 4-of-13 from the floor but 11-of-12 from the free throw line to win the quarter 20-19, however the Tigers did enough to earn the 60-54 win.

The Tigers must now focus on two more road games to end the week with a trip to Jackson, Tennessee in store to face Union University in GSC West Division action. The Jan. 29 contest is set for a 6 p.m. start while the Jan. 30 game is set to tipoff at 3 p.m. in Fred Delay Gymnasium. Links to live video and live stats will be available on uwaathletics.com.

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JACKSON, Tenn. – The University of West Alabama Men’s basketball made 17 free throws and needed every one as the Tigers collected their first road win of the season in a 73-67 win over the Union University Bulldogs Saturday in the Fred DeLay Gymnasium in Gulf South Conference action.

UWA (3-1) finished the game 94.4 percent (17-of-18) from the free throw line. West Alabama also shot a season best from the floor going 59.1 percent (26-of-44) from the floor.

“I told the guys, “don’t worry about getting on the bus if they weren’t ready for a fight.” They were all on the bus, so I figured they were ready,” said Head coach Nick Woodruff. “We had a really tough film session this morning and our guys bounced back in a great way. They responded to the coaching, didn’t pout and got our team a very important win on the road.”

Robert Davis led the Tigers in scoring with 16 points the effort from the line as he went 8-for-8 in free throws including four down the stretch to ice the game away. Davis also finished 2-for-4 from three and added and team leading three steals and three rebounds.

“It was a team effort. We made an effort to get the ball inside and felt we had an advantage there. That in turn led to open shots and driving lanes for our guards. Rob made some key free throws down the stretch,” said Woodruff.

Shardarrion Allen and Kortrijk Miles both scored 14 points each. Allen added a team leading four assists and two rebounds. Miles also provided four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

“Kortrijk and Phat (Allen) are finding their spots and opportunities within the offense,” said Woodruff. “This time of year, our Defense is ahead of our offense and we are okay with that. The offense will continue to get better as we play together and get more experience.

Justin Allison rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points along with five rebounds and two assists. CJ Melton led on the boards with six rebounds.

The Bulldogs (5-3) took an early lead going up 12-7 at the 14:37 mark in the first half before the true back and forth started. The lead changed five of the six times it did all game between that point and with 1:21 remaining where Allison hit a free throw to go up 30-29. UWA stretched the lead to 32-29 at the half.

With 14:55 left in the game, Union tied the contest off a three-pointer by Hunter Vick at 43-43. However, the Tigers outscored the hosting Bulldogs 40-24 the rest of the way on the way to the 73-67 victory.

Tylandrius Parks led all scorers with 20 points while Vick scored 19 as the two were the only Bulldogs in double figures.

As a unit, Union shot 52.9 percent (27-of-51) from the floor, 39.1 percent (9-of-23) from behind the arc and 80 percent (4-of-5) from the charity stripe.

The Tigers won the battle of the boards 25-19 and scored 24 points on turnovers compared to 17 for Union. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs committed 15 turnovers and UWA had 16.

“We still have a long way to go and it doesn’t get any easier this week at Huntsville,” said Woodruff.

After the four games in five days marathon, West Alabama will have a few days off just in time to get ready for another road trip as the Tigers will face the University of Alabama in Huntsville Chargers on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23.

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