NICEVILLE, Fla. – The University of West Alabama women's basketball team held off West Florida to capture its first Gulf South Conference Tournament victory since the Mar. 1, 2006 in a 60-57 decision at The Arena on Thursday evening.

The victory snaps a six-game skid in the conference tournament for the Tigers, who improved to 12-14 overall, and gave UWA its second win of the season over the Argos, who finished the season 10-17.

The Tigers last win in the tournament came in a 70-69 decision over Arkansas-Monticello at the Bancorp South Arena in Tupelo, Miss.

Nikkia Jordan led the way for the Red and White with 16 points marking her 10th game as the Tigers leading scorer and second straight. The Decatur, Ala., native has scored in double figures 18 times and four straight.

Brittany Weathers chimed in 10 points off the bench helping the Tigers to a plus-15 advantage in the category over UWF.

UWA trailed in the early minutes of the opening half, but a free throw by Synthea Reed - capping a traditional 3-point play – put the Tigers in front. The Tigers led the remainder of the half marching out to as much as a 12 point advantage before heading into the break leading 33-25.

The Tigers opened the second half with a 12-5 run running the lead out to 45-30. The lead was the largest of the game for UWA. During the scoring spurt five different Tigers added baskets.

UWF nipped away at the deficit and with just over 8:30 to play took its first lead, 48-47, since the 18:47 mark on a Hanna Vette 3-pointer. Vette finished the night with 17 points, including hitting 3-of-4 shots from behind the arc.

The two squads exchanged leads over the next couple minutes, but the Tigers regained the lead for good with just over five minutes to play in the contest.

Octavia Bearden led all scorers with 22 points and pulled down 16 rebounds.

UWA shot just over 35 percent from the field in the winning effort while the Argos connected on 37 percent of its shots.

West Alabama returns to action on Saturday, Mar. 3 as the Tigers face top seeded Delta State. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at The Arena. Tray Littlefield will bring you all the action on ESPN 104.9 FM and at www.uwaathletics.com.