PENSACOLA, Fla. – West Florida converted on 26-of-29 free throws as the Argos grabbed their sixth straight win, defeating West Alabama 63-51 in Gulf South Conference women's basketball action at the UWF Field House on Thursday.
 
The Argos remain atop the GSC, improving to 16-3 on the year and moving to 11-2 among league competition. The Tigers fall to 6-13 overall, dropping to 3-9 in conference play.
 
"We didn't lose this game; we gave it away," UWA head coach Rusty Cram said. "We knew what we had to do coming into this one, but we let them finish how they wanted."
 
An Ariel Wilson three-pointer started a bombardment from the senior guard as she scored the Tigers first eight points, igniting a 9-2 West Alabama scoring run that saw the Tigers grab a 17-6 lead after the first period.
 
The Tigers continued to keep the Argos at arm's length deep into the second period, leading by as much ten points until the West Florida bench chipped in eight unanswered points in the closing 90 seconds to pull within two by the half.
 
Argos' top scorer Toni Brewer knotted the game up at 26-26 with a field goal from the top of the post to open up the third period. A fast-break layup from Alex Coyne gave UWF its first lead of the night on the following possession.
 
"We couldn't stop the turnovers, gave up too many rebounds and let them right back in the game," Cram said.
 
West Alabama erased a six-point UWF advantage by the end of the third, sending the game into the final quarter even at 38-38.
 
After six lead changes through a tight fourth quarter, the Argos began to pull away by capitalizing at the free throw line, converting on all twelve of their attempts down the stretch to secure the 63-51 conference victory.
 
"To take on the league's best team at their home court and play with them for 38 minutes, you have to be doing something right," Cram said. "Now we have to regroup and get ready to play Saturday."
 
Wilson led all scorers with 20 points, hitting 7-of-13 from the floor, 2-4 from beyond the arc and 4-of-4 from the line. Catherine Taylor and Sydney King each finished with nine points.
 
Alex Coyne's 17 points led the Argo's offensively, converting on four field goals and all eight free throw attempts. Katie Bobos and Shami Goodman each pitched in 13 for UWF, while Toni Brewer finished with 12. Bobos grabbed 19 boards on the night with 14 on the defensive sode of the ball. Brewer collected 13 rebounds, 10 of which were defensive.
 
The Tigers will return to Pruitt Hall, facing off against Valdosta State on Saturday. Tip off is set for 2 p.m.