PENSACOLA, Fla. – West Florida out-shot and out-rebounded West Alabama to snap a six game losing skid in a 78-70 Gulf South Conference Men's Basketball victory at the UWF Field House on Saturday.
West Florida improves to 3-9 overall and 2-7 in the GSC. West Alabama drops to 8-7 and 4-5. The Argonauts shot 26-of-54 from the field (48 percent) and led 47-30 in boards. It was an off night shooting for the Tigers, who finished 22-of-56 from the field (39 percent), 2-of-16 from behind the 3-point line (12 percent) and 24-of-36 at the free throw line (66 percent).
Nine steals and 11 points off turnovers by the Tigers kept the game close in the first half.
Jahmal Lane came off the bench and kept UWA in the game with 10 points and four steals as the Argonauts led 35-29 going into halftime. At the break, UWF led 19-12 rebounding.
In the half, UWF shot 12-of-21 from the field (57 percent) and 9-of-14 from the free throw line (64 percent). West Alabama struggled at the charity stripe hitting only six in 14 trips. The Tigers were 11-of-26 (42 percent) from the field.
The Argos maintained its lead through the second half despite dropping their field goal percentage to 42 percent (14-for-33) and 3-point percentage to 20 percent (1-of-5). West Florida built up its best lead of the game of 16 points with 13:45 left in the game.
UWA cut the deficit to 10 points with 12 minutes to play in the second half, but also had its shooting percentage plummet in the period. The Tigers went 11-of-30 from the field and 18-of-22 from the free throw line during the period.
Lane finished with 22 points, matching his season high, while totaling five steals.
Simeon Dennis and
Deontaye Ewing followed with 13 and 12 points respectively.
Dakari Mayo added eight points with three blocked shots. Dennis and Lane, along with Billy Igram all tallied four rebounds.
Jelani Pruitt led UWF with 20 points and 14 rebounds, followed by Mario Stramaglia with 15 points. Austin Somerfield also notched a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards.
West Alabama men's hoops remain on the road to take on Valdosta State in the second of a five game road swing on Monday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. (C.S.T.) in Valdosta, Ga.
