The University of West Georgia men’s basketball team took the reigning Gulf South Conference champions and fourth-ranked team in the nation down to the wire before Alabama-Huntsville pulled away in the final minutes for an 81-71 victory at Spragins Hall on Thursday night.

The Wolves (2-3, 0-1 GSC) held a 24-21 lead at one point in the early goings, but No. 4 Alabama-Huntsville (5-1, 1-0) would finish the half on a 17-5 run to lead 38-29 at the break.

West Georgia cut the lead down to six points on two occasions in the second half before an old-fashioned three-point play by senior point guard Quincy Hill made it a four-point game at 54-50 with 10:03 left in the game. But UAH’s Zane Campbell answered with a trey of his own to push the Charger advantage back to seven points.

From there, UAH would maintain a six-to-10 point edge down the stretch and knocked down enough free throws to hold off West Georgia’s upset bid behind a strong performance from All-GSC performers Campbell and Jaime Smith, who both scored 22 points.

Hill had a huge night for West Georgia, dropping in 22 points with nine rebounds, six assists and four steals. Zach Taulien added 17 points — knocking down five 3-pointers — and Sean Boston also reached double figures for UWG with 11 points.

The Wolves return home to host Shorter University on Sunday at 5 p.m.

UAH women 58, UWG 53: The Wolves (3-3, 0-1 GSC) used defense and the free-throw line to build a 34-22 lead at halftime, but it wouldn’t be enough as Alabama-Huntsville came back at home to take the GSC opener.

West Georgia was 11-of-14 from the charity stripe while holding UAH to 35 percent shooting, forcing 14 turnovers — six off steals — and out-rebounded the Lady Chargers, 24-16, in the first half.

All that would change in the second half, as it was just too much UAH. The Lady Chargers didn’t regain the lead until there were just 55 seconds left in the game, but outscored the Wolves, 34-15, in the final 20 minutes to chip away at the lead.

After taking 14 free throws in the first half, the Wolves took only four in the second half and UAH took 33 for the game. UWG did out-rebound the Lady Chargers, 46-37, on the night.

Mone’ Peoples led West Georgia with 13 points, while Shakiyla McLin added nine points and Angela Davis chipped in with eight. Jerlisa Taylor led the way with 10 rebounds.

On the other side of the floor, it was Jasmine Hammon living up to expectations with 27 points and eight rebounds — going 10-of-15 from the charity stripe — Jordan Smith with 12 points and Natalie Kelley just missing a double-double with 10 points and nine boards.

The Wolves will continue GSC play on Sunday at 3 p.m. against Shorter University at The Coliseum.