After a difficult month in December and the loss to West Alabama, UNA will try to get back on track at home Thursday against West Florida and Valdosta State Saturday.

UNA (8-5, 1-1) made a huge splash in the conference last Thursday against then 25th ranked West Georgia with an 81-78 win.

The Lions couldn’t capitalize on the momentum with a slip up against West Alabama (3-10, 1-1).

“West Alabama was a good team, and their record doesn’t have anything to do with the type of team that they have after getting first team all-league guy eligible,” said UNA Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bobby Champagne. “There are absolutely no guaranteed wins in this league with the last for South region champions have went on to make it to the Elite Eight.”

With the conference schedule starting to hit full swing for the Lions, home court advantage becomes key against a talented West Florida (10-5, 1-1). West Florida is a perfect example of attacking the goal with only making five three-point field goals on the year.

Jamar Moore, averaging 16 points and eight rebounds a game, leads them. The Argonauts also are coming off a loss in the conference to the Christian Brothers. With an attempt to avoid going 1-2 in the conference, a battle will be on display Thursday at 8 p.m.

“I think West Florida is one of the most talented teams in the league that I have seen play,” Champagne said. “They arguably have one of the best players in Jamar Moore and are very athletic with good interior passing. They are just amazing to watch because they don’t take any three pointers.”

With hopes of gaining momentum after Thursday’s game, UNA faces Valdosta State (7-5, 1-1) Saturday at 3 p.m. The Blazers play a similar style of basketball to the Lions with the ability to shoot the basketball. They are second in the league in scoring 78 points a game and led by Sydney Harris, who is averaging 14 points a game.

“Valdosta is always an athletic team, but not as athletic as they have been in the past,” Champagne said. “They are similar to us and like to play a fast pace, as we do. We need to do a good job keeping them off the glass and finding them in transition.”

After suffering their first conference loss to rival West Alabama, UNA hopes to build off the home crowd against a tough conference schedule ahead of them.

The results from the games against West Florida and Valdosta State can give a good picture of where the Lions will stand in the conference picture.

Can’t make it to the games this week? @FlorAlaSports will be there with live updates throughout the games.

GSC Basketball Standings

Team                    Conf.         All

Christian Bro.         2-0        11-2 

West Georgia         1-1        14-2    

UAH                        1-1         9-3

West Florida           1-1        10-5

UNA                        1-1          8-5

Valdosta State       1-1          7-5

West Alabama        1-1         3-10

Delta State             0-2          4-7