LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama dropped a 96-78 decision to Delta State in men’s basketball activity on Wednesday at Pruitt Hall.  The game was the home opener for the Tigers and the home debut of first year head coach Eddie McCarter.

The Red and White held a three-point advantage at the halftime break, 40-37, but the Statesmen of DSU (2-1) outscored UWA 59-38 in the final 20 minutes to notch its second win of the season.  The scoring picked up in the second half with both teams shooting over 50 percent in the stanza.  For the game, DSU turned in a 54 percent shooting night while UWA finished at 47 percent.  DSU connected on 13-of-16 from the free throw line in the period.  Four DSU players registered double figure scoring nights, led by Ray Selvage with 14 points.  Chad Akins turned in 12 points while David Clark and Eric Spencer posted 11 points and 10 points respectively.

The Tigers (1-1) were led by junior Chris Malone in the scoring column.  The Birmingham, Ala.-native tallied a game-high 16 points, connecting on 4-of-8 from behind the three-point line.  Cavin Payton turned in 14 points in the contest.  The Moss Point, Miss. product by way of Meridian Community College was 3-of-4 from the field along with four points from the charity stripe.  Brian Murphy added 11 points while Caleb Norman pitched in 10.

UWA closes out the Thanksgiving break hosting Miles College on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 4 p.m. at Pruitt Hall.  Saturday’s contest will be a doubleheader with the UWA women as head coach Amanda Mark’s squad takes on Auburn at Montgomery at 2 p.m.