BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For the first time since 2016, West Georgia won the Gulf South Conference Men’s Basketball Championship, following a 75-69 decision over Alabama Huntsville.

With the result, the Wolves became the first team to claim the regular season and tournament title in the same year since UAH accomplished the during the 2014-15 campaign. UWG also claimed the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship.

BOX SCORE

West Georgia, UAH and the rest of the league will wait to hear their postseason future with NCAA Selection Show slated for 11:00 pm ET and can be seen on NCAA.com.

Zawdie Jackson paced the Wolves offense and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after registering a game-high 23 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Teammate Cam Donatlan joined him on the all-tournament list along with UAH’s Tommy Murr and Luke Burnett. West Alabama’s Terry Durham and Lee’s Beyuan Hendricks also garnered all-tournament honors.

Burnett led Charger offense with 18 points, while Murr followed with 13. Combined the UAH duo converted 11-of-31 chances from the floor. Daniel Saylor finished with a team-best seven boards. 

In addition to Jackson and Donatlan, UWG received double-digit points from Marlon Smith who finished with 16 and Kolten Griffin who chipped in 11 points. Jackson completed 9-of-17 shots while Smith was 6-for-14.

Overall, West Georgia dominated the glass as it pulled down 52 rebounds to UAH’s 33. UWG also held a commanding 21-5 margin in second-chance points. UAH was 25-for-63 shooting including 13-for-39 from behind the arc. The Wolves shot 41.1 percent (30-73) from the floor and was 11-for-26 from three-point range.