LIVINGSTON – Steven Samuels knocked down 25 points to lead West Alabama to a 71-41 Gulf South Conference victory over Union University on Thursday.

“The kids played really well tonight,” said West Alabama Head Coach Mike Newell.

“We had a great crowd turn out tonight. It was great to have the band and the cheerleaders back, it created a great atmosphere for us and we certainly appreciate that.”

“Defensively, we just dominated. We made a lot of big plays offensively, but defensively is where we won the ball game.”

The Tigers held Union to 41 points, the fewest points allowed by West Alabama in a game this season, to improve to 7-8 and 3-5 in the conference. Union falls to 3-13 overall and 1-7 in the conference.

For Steven Samuels, he ties his career best in scoring with 25 points. He led the Tigers in scoring for the fifth consecutive contest and recorded his third 20 point performance in four games.

Mychal Bester and Desmond Raymond both entered the game off the bench to record double-digit points. Bester recorded his career high of 14 points, while Raymond totaled 11. In the end the Tiger’s bench accounted for 33 points.

The Tiger defense also set a precedent in the first half, holding Union to 16 points; the fewest points allowed in a single half by West Alabama this season.

“It was just a total team effort,” said Newell. “I really liked what I saw, but now we have to get back to work and prepare to travel to Florence.”

The Tigers will now have a short turn around before traveling to Florence to take on North Alabama on Saturday. Union will return home to host West Georgia.