LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Men's Basketball team picked up their first conference win of the season on Saturday, defeating the West Florida Argonauts, 64-56, in Pruitt Hall.

UWA (5-3, 1-1 GSC) didn't shoot better from the floor or from three than UWF (1-6, 0-1 GSC) but the Tigers forced 18 turnovers and made 12 more free throws than the Argonauts in route to their eight-point win.

"We started out slow and could've folded when we fell down early but the guys battled and I'm proud of them for that," said head coach Nick Woodruff. "I'm proud of their effort to defend. Allowing 56 points in a conference game is good and thank goodness we are on the winning end of that one."

West Florida blitzed West Alabama to begin the game, scoring 10 unanswered points in the first three and half minutes. Down 10-0 in the opening minutes, UWA responded as a hook shot from Michael McIntosh sparked an 8-0 run for the Tigers to cut their deficit to two with 12:44 left in the period. Moments later, the Argonauts got their lead back up to nine after back-to-back threes from Ja'ron Briggs and Shay Davis. At this point in the half, Thaddeus Williams took over majority of the scoring load for UWA as the senior guard scored seven of his 12 first half points in the final five minutes. West Alabama found themselves down three in their final possession of the half before Elliot Tulip buried a three at the buzzer to send the game to halftime tied at 30.

UWA shot 40 percent from the floor and from three in the period while UWF shot 46.3 percent from the floor and 57.1 percent from three. 

While Williams dominated the first half, Lockett and Rasean Frederick carried the load in the second as the duo combined for 22 points in the period. 

Frederick got things started for the Tigers early in the half, scoring on West Alabama's first possession to give UWA their first lead of the night. On the next possession, Lockett buried a three before five quick points by West Florida knotted the score again. Over the next couple of minutes, the two teams traded buckets as the game saw four lead changes and three ties until the Tigers began to take control of the game. Another three from Lockett sparked a 7-2 UWA run, giving West Alabama their largest lead of the night at six with 6:55 left to play. Back-to-back buckets from UWF's Davis, ended the Tigers' run and made it 52-50 game. Up two with 3:22 left, Frederick flexed his clutch gene, scoring five points and recording a big block, virtually putting the game away as West Alabama secured a 64-56 win.

Lockett finished with a game-high 16 points and four rebounds on 44 percent shooting and 50 percent from three while Williams and McIntosh chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively.

"This was a challenge," coach Woodruff continued. "Were we perfect? By far, we were not but as long as we continue to get better and continue to learn from the losses and the wins, we can really figure this thing out." 

West Alabama will now hit the road for a GSC matchup against the Lee Flames on Thursday at 6:30 PM.