LIVINGSTON, Ala. — Valdosta State took advantage of five West Alabama turnovers and outgained the Tigers by 145 yards in the second half to clinch a 37-22 Gulf South Conference football victory over the Tigers Saturday at Tiger Stadium

Valdosta State, ranked 19th in the country, improved to 7-2 overall and 5-2 in GSC play. West Alabama had its winning streak snapped at five games, dropping to 6-4 and 6-2 while putting its NCAA Division II Playoff hopes in peril.

“There is going to be a team in the playoffs with three region losses,” UWA head coach Brett Gilliland said. “We still have a shot. We are not 100 percent in, but we are not 100 percent out of the picture either.”

Despite outgaining Valdosta State 337 to 189 in the first half, West Alabama took just a 15-14 lead into the intermission. Then the third quarter happened.

The Blazers ran up 182 yards of total offense in the third period while limiting West Alabama to just 56. By the start of the fourth quarter the Blazers had all the momentum and a 30-15 lead.

“Momentum swings hurt you if you allow them to,” Gilliland said. “The fumble we lost on the kickoff turned the momentum and we never did anything to turn it back.”

Andrew Gray connected on a 22-yard field goal on the Blazers’ first drive of the second half. CJ Savage fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Alex Brock recovered at the West Alabama 4-yard line. Two plays later Cedric Hollingshed scored on a 4-yard run, and even though the PAT was blocked by Taderion Myhand, VSU had a 23-15 lead and we never really challenged the rest of the way.

Adam Robles found Anthony Ingram on an 18-yard scoring pass with 17 seconds left in the third quarter and Valdosta State led 30-15.

Robles, who finished the game 34-for-56 for 353 yards and three touchdowns, found Joe Fortson on an 8-yard TD toss to stretch the Blazer lead to 37-15.

“Their offensive line protected well, but we needed to get to the quarterback better, needed to execute better,” UWA nose tackle Michael Williams said. “It starts up front and then ricochets all the way through the defense.”

Robles and Day Howard connected on a 9-yard touchdown pass and Gary Simon returned a punt 62 yards for the Blazers first touchdown.

West Alabama lit one last flame of hope when Seth Knotts blocked a VSU punt and Markeith Gray returned it 27 yards to the Blazer 16-yard line. Two plays later Austin Grammer scored on a 10-yard run to cut the score to the final margin. UWA’s onside kick attempt failed.

Grammer was 21-of-37 for 232 yards, but failed to connect on a touchdown pass and was intercepted twice. The Tigers also lost three fumbles and were just 3-of-13 on third down conversions.

“we knew they were a good team and had a good defense coming in,” Grammer said. “Still, you are not going to beat anybody with five turnovers and that starts with me.

“Their defensive line did a great jo of getting their hands up,” Grammer said. “You have to make plays to win the game and we didn’t.”

Lakendric Thomas and Rashaad Lee both rushed for 101 yards for West Alabama, Thomas on 18 carries and Lee on eight. Donta Armstrong caught eight passes for 94 yards.

Darius Ellis led UWA with eight tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble. Ladaris Johnson intercepted his second pass of the season.

Lee scored on a 61-yard run in the first quarter, while Thomas plowed in from 8-yards in the second. An 18-yard field goal by Jordan Bennett rounded out West Alabama scoring.

Damien Strange caught nine passes for 108 yards for Valdosta State. Hollingshed was the leading rusher for the Blazers with 43 yards on 17 carries. Brandon Roe recorded nine tackles for VSU.

West Alabama closes the regular season by hosting Malone (Ohio) University Saturday at Tiger Stadium. Valdosta State is host to Shorter.