LIVINGSTON – West Alabama senior Steven Samuels scored a season high of 31 points in a 78-65 victory of Gulf South Conference opponent Delta State on Thursday night at Pruitt Hall.

“It was a very good night,” said UWA head coach Mike Newell. “We shot the ball very well, and did a lot better in the second half defensively. Steven did a great job for us tonight, but we also had other guys step up for us as well.”

West Alabama (9-13; 5-10) hit a team season-high 11 three pointers as well 90.5% (19-21) from the free throw line to snap a two game losing skid. Tigers now sit tied with Delta State (9-14; 5-10) in the GSC standings.

Samuels ended with a double-double after totaling 10 rebounds along with his 31 points. Sandy Underwood ended with 15 total points and Jacob Acker recorded a personal best of 11 points for UWA. Terry Leake and Mike Weems both recorded 20 points while Cornell Knight finished with 10 points for the Statesmen.

The Tigers jumped ahead to a quick 18 point lead in the first 10 minutes of the game Samuels broke the double figure scoring mark in the first six minutes, but Statesmen Terry Leake and Mike Weems combined for 23 first half points to cut the Tigers’ lead down to 39-33 at halftime. Samuels returned with 19 total points in the second half to lead UWA to the victory.

West Alabama will now remain at home to host Christian Brothers on Feb. 23. The Tigers have only three games remaining in the regular season before heading to the conference tournament in Birmingham on March 7.