The announcement that UAH sophomore Chaney Johnson was selected as the Gulf South Conference Player of the Year came on Tuesday night. Several hours later, Johnson nearly added a double-double to a great day as he helped the No. 1 seed Chargers to a 77-60 victory over No. 8 Mississippi College in the GSC Tournament quarterfinals at Spragins Hall.
Johnson, a 6-foot-7 forward from Thompson High in Alabaster, averaged 16 points and 6.6 rebounds during the regular season.
On Tuesday night, Johnson had 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals in a game the UAH led for more than 36 minutes. The largest UAH lead was 25 points. Jack Kostel led UAH with 17 points, Max Shulman had 15 points and nine rebounds, and Luke Burnett had 10 points. ,
UAH, the reigning GSC Tournament champion, moves into Saturday's quarterfinals against West Georgia at the Pete Hanna Center on Samford's campus. Opening tip is scheduled for 5 p.m.
West Alabama 84, Union 73: West Alabama, the No. 2 seed in the GSC Tournament, put four players in double figures to counter an incredible game by Union's Tylandrius Parks. The 6-foot-5 graduate student had 41 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
The balanced effort was enough for the Tigers to advance into Saturday night's semifinal matchup against Lee at the Pete Hanna Center. Justin Allison was near-perfect shooting the ball. He was 7 of 9 from the field overall and 6 of 8 on 3-pointers. He had 21 points, four rebounds and an assist. Kuran Garner had 19 points and six rebounds, Thaddeus Williams had 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Shardarrion Allen had 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Eastern Kentucky 73, UNA 48: The Lions' season closed on Tuesday night with the ASUN Tournament quarterfinal loss at Eastern Kentucky. The Colonels were able to get a measure of revenge for a late-season overtime loss at home to UNA.
The rematch was never close. UNA never led in the game and was behind by double digits with a little over four minutes elapsed on the clock. Daniel Ortiz had 22 points with five 3-pointers and five rebounds. He was the lone double-figure scorer for UNA.
UNA finishes 18-14, the best Division I finish for the program.
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