Derek Easter, Duke Sturdivant and Justin Johnson combined for 39 points to lift the University of Arkansas at Monticello past West Alabama 57-53 at Steelman Fieldhouse Monday night.

   Easter had team highs of 14 points and 12 rebounds while Sturdivant added 13 points and nine boards. Johnson scored 12 and grabbed four rebounds.

   The win was UAM’s first of the season after opening with losses at West Virginia and Texas. West Alabama fell to 1-3. Although both teams are in the Gulf South Conference, the contest does not count as a league game.

   Brian Murphy led West Alabama with 19 points while Kevin Johnson added 10 points and 12 rebounds.

   Neither team shot well in either half. UAM made just 19 of 64 field goal attempts for 29.7 percent while the Tigers were 18 of 58 from the floor for 31 percent.
 

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