PENSACOLA, Fla. - The University of West Alabama men's basketball team lost in heartbreaking fashion to the University of West Florida on Saturday night 69-67 in the UWF Field House.

West Alabama falls to 18-10 overall and 15-9 in Gulf South Conference play. West Florida finishes the season 8-20 and 6-18.

Despite the loss, the Tigers will host the quarterfinal of the 2024 GSC Championship on Tuesday night inside Pruitt Hall, hosting the 5-seed Statesmen of Delta State University. 

The Tigers found themselves in a back-and-forth contest early on, locked in a 10-10 gridlock after a Thaddeus Williams layup.

Terry Durham pulled UWA ahead by four, 16-12, with a long triple with 11:20 left in the stanza that sparked a 12-5 run, swelling the lead to seven with 8:35 left in the half. 

Xavier Washington brought the Argos back within four, 28-24, with a triple with 4:35 left in the half, but the Tigers maintained the lead throughout the rest of the half and went to the locker room with a 38-32 lead. 

West Alabama opened the second half on a 7-0 run to take a commanding 45-32 lead inside 15 minutes to go.

UWA seemed to be in full control with less than 13 minutes to play as a CJ Melton three gave the visitors a a 15-point lead, 50-35.

Inside six to play, the wheels came off for the Tigers, allowing the Argos to climb all the way back to within five, with a Sano Rutatika jumper making it 60-55 with 5:17 to go.

UWA and UWF continued to exchange blows until a clutch triple from Caleb McGill tied the contest at 67 with 41 seconds left in regulation.

Bryant Jr. hit the game-winning jumper in the paint with ten seconds to play to put the Tigers away and claim the 69-67 victory.

UWF exploded in the final five minutes, outscoring UWA 14-7 in the stretch.

Le'Tarion White led the Argos with 21 points on 10-for-16 shooting and snagged five rebounds.

CJ Melton added 15 points and 8 boards for West Alabama. Terry Durham also notched 15 points and added 7 rebounds.

UWA will host Delta State in the GSC Quarterfinals on Tuesday night inside Pruitt Hall. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.