PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of West Alabama women's basketball team fell 72-59 at West Florida in its Gulf South Conference opener. UWA drops to 3-13 on the season as UWF improves to 10-5.

Nicole Dames led a trio of Tigers in double figures with 13 points. Jenni Thomley provided a season-high 12 points as Dakota Powell rounded out the double digit scorers for the Red and White with 11 points. The 11 points tied a career-high from the Woodville, Ala.-native.

The Tigers came out hot from behind the three-point arc connecting on their first four treys of the game and racing out to a 15-5 lead in the first five minutes of the contest. Dames, Thomley and Powell sparked the run as each hit a triple during the run. The Argos began to chip away at the margin and at the 10:52 mark drew even with the Red and White at 17-all. UWF extended its lead to 10 points behind a three-pointer from Emily Erland with just under four minutes to play in the opening half. Sabrina Stambouli pushed the Argos to a 37-24 advantage, connecting on three, free throws. Thomley and Powell each claimed three's in the final two minutes of the opening stanza to pull the Red and White within seven at the break, 37-30.

Keiara Middleton scored the first basket of the second half to draw UWA within five points. UWF extended its lead out to eight points, but back-to-back buckets from Latashia Greer and Qweetta Ward pulled the Tigers to within 42-38. The four-point deficit would be as close as the Red and White would get the remainder of the way as UWF raced out to a 69-51 lead. The Argos outscored the Tigers 27-12 during the run to grab their largest lead of the game.

UWA finished the night shooting 41-percent from the floor and 36.4 from behind the arc.

UWF picked up 40 points from its bench to the Tigers 10 points and turned 23 UWA miscues into 23 points for the contest.

West Alabama returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 14 as the Tigers host North Alabama in GSC action. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.