CARROLLTON, Ga. - For the second consecutive season, the University of West Georgia Men's Basketball team advanced to the GSC Championship game on Saturday after a 68-59 win over the West Alabama Tigers.

No. 18 UWG (25-5, 19-5 GSC) put together another defensive masterclass as they held West Alabama (19-11, 15-9 GSC) to 32 percent from the floor and 20 percent from three, propelling them to their nine-point win.

"We knew that this was going to be a tough game, a street fight type of game," said head coach Dave Moore. "I don't like using that analogy but that's just what it is. Our guys really battled. I thought we got soft there in the second half for about a 10 minute stretch but then we toughened back up and got enough rebounds to win."

West Georgia came out flying around on the defensive end, holding West Alabama to just six points through the first eight minutes, leading to a four point lead. Behind Zawdie Jackson, UWG's offense got going as a basket from the reigning Player of the Year sparked a 16-4 run for the Wolves, giving them a 26-10 lead with 5:01 left in the period. Down 16, the Tigers responded with a run of their own as a layup from Terry Durham ignited a 9-0 UWA run, getting them back in the game by cutting West Georgia's lead down to nine. Moments later, Jackson picked up his second foul, forcing Coach Moore to bring in Malcolm Noel who proceeded to score a quick five points as UWG went into the break up 33-24.

West Georgia shot 50 percent from the field while holding West Alabama to 26 percent and 0-9 from three.

Kolten Griffin opened up the second half with a three, putting the Wolves up 12 before UWA began to climb back into the game. The Tigers's Durham dominated majority of the period and single handily got West Alabama back into the game with his tenacity on the glass. Behind Durham, UWA took a one-point lead around the eight minute mark, marking their first lead since early in the first half. The game remained within one possession with the lead changing constantly before Jackson took over the game down the stretch. The point guard scored nine points in the last four minutes of the game, leading West Georgia to a 68-59 win.

Jackson finished with a game-high 24 points and six assists while Smith added 12 points off the bench.

"Now it's time to get some rest," coach Moore continued. "It's not time to celebrate right now because we haven't done anything yet. It was a great win but we have one more to get."

West Georgia now awaits the winner of Lee/Alabama Huntsville for the GSC Championship game on Sunday at 4:00 PM EST.