LIVINGSTON, Ala. - Johnny Stallworth's career-high 17 points, combined with 32 points from Jahmal Lane and Gavin Robinson, were not enough for West Alabama as the Tigers fell to West Florida 72-69 in Gulf South Conference men's basketball action at Pruitt Hall on Thursday.

The Argonauts improve to 8-6 on the season, moving to 3-5 in league play. The Tigers fall to 8-5, dropping to 3-5 in the GSC.

"I feel like we lost that game in the first half," UWA head coach Allen Sharpe said. "Our defense was on its heels, and giving up 42 points in a half is going to make it tough for us to win."

Stallworth took the opening tipoff down the court for a fast break layup, sparking a West Alabama offensive push that saw the Tigers take a 15-7 lead by the 14:47 mark in the first half.

However, West Florida answered with a 13-5 scoring run, tying the game at 20 apiece before mounting an attack to take a 42-34 lead into the intermission.

The Tigers fought back in the final 20 minutes, taking a 57-53 lead on a three-point bucket from Jake Jobling midway through the half. 

"We got the lead back in the second half," Sharpe said, "but we missed some critical free throws, and let the game get away from us down the stretch."

Two possessions later, the Argonauts took their final lead of the night, but the Tigers would not go quietly. Trailing by three points with two seconds remaining, Stallworth launched a shot from the opposing three-point line, but couldn't convert.

Although West Alabama posted better field goal and three-point percentages than West Florida, the Argos performed better at the the free throw line.

Lane led the Tigers' offensive unit with 19 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line. Stallworth's 17 points came on seven field goals with three, first-half three-pointers. Robinson rounded out UWA's double-digit scorers, posting 13 after hitting 5-of-9 from the field and adding 3-of-4 from the line. Domonique Alexander led West Alabama's defense with four boards and three blocks.

Austin Somerfield recorded 19 points for the Argos' hitting 50 percent from the field with connecting on 7-of-9 free throws. Rashaan Benson and Darryl Tucker each finished with 14 points. Tucker led UWF's rebounding efforts with 10 boards on the night.

The Tigers will make a one-game road trip, taking on Valdosta State in GSC play on Saturday. Tipoff at The Complex is set for 4 p.m.