LIVINGSTON, Ala. | The University of Alabama in Huntsville dropped a 66-61 decision to host West Alabama in Gulf South Conference action on Saturday afternoon, slipping to 10-11 (7-8 GSC) with the setback, while UWA improves to 10-9 (7-8 GSC).
 
Setting a career high and leading the Chargers was junior Dina Saunders who poured in 24 on the strength of four 3-pointers and a perfect 10-for-10 showing at the charity stripe. Joining her in double figures were Halle Jarnagin who scored 13 and Josi Saunders who tallied 12.
 
Kelcia Bufkin led the Tigers with 20 points.
 
The Chargers pushed out to as much as a nine-point lead in the opening period, leading 17-8 after Josi Saunders made a 3-pointer fall at the 11:28 mark of the half, but UWA then went on a 21-4 run over the next eight minutes to go ahead 29-21 with 3:31 left in the period.
 
That momentum swing set up an impressive finish to the first half for the Chargers as the visitors completely erased the eight-point deficit, ripping off a 10-0 run that saw Dina Saunders score eight of her 10 first-half points while giving UAH a 31-29 advantage at the halftime break.
 
A 14-3 run for the hosts to start the second half put the Tigers up 43-34 at the 14:03 mark, and though UAH would narrow the gap to just one on three different occasions in the period, UWA was able to hang on for the victory.
 
The Chargers shot 42.2 percent for the contest including a strong 8-for-16 from 3-point land, but UWA connected on 49.0 percent of its attempts to outshoot UAH. Rebounding in the game was even at 28-28, and both Dina Saunders and Alysse Bishop paced the Chargers with five boards.
 
The Chargers will return home on Thursday when Lee visits Kelly Court at Spragins Hall for a 5:30 p.m. contest. UAH won the earlier contest with the Flames, picking up a 70-64 victory on the road back in December.