PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of West Florida men's basketball team fell to Claflin University 82-78 Friday night in the first game of the UWF Thanksgiving Classic. With the loss, the Argonauts earn their first loss of the season and now have an overall record of 4-1 (0-0 GSC).

"We didn't give up, but committed 21 turnovers tonight and you can't do that against good teams like Claflin," said head coach Bob Stinnett.

In the first half, West Florida struggled offensively and committed 11 turnovers in the half but shot the ball well from 3-point range after hitting five in first half. As a team UWF shot 39 percent (10-26) from the field while the Panthers shot 40 percent (14-35). Senior Erin Straughn (Pensacola, Fla./East Carolina University) led UWF with eight points and four rebounds in that half.

West Florida picked up their pace offensively in the second half and gained their first lead of the game with 12 minutes remaining. The Argos held the lead until five minutes remaining but failed to regain the lead after being outscored 18-14 in the time left and would eventually fall 82-78.

Four Argonauts scored in double digits for West Florida including Straughn who finished with 19 points and Terrence Townes (Danville, Va./Gulf Coast State) who added 19 also to lead UWF. 

Senior Demetrius Moore (Paxton, Fla./Indiana State University) recorded his third double-double of the season after he scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while also blocking three shots.

"It was a tough loss, we fought until the end but had a few miscues that we couldn't overcome," said Demetrius Moore. "As the games go, I feel we should get a lot better."

Junior Lendward Griffin (Jacksonville, Fla./Ribault HS) added 13 points, 10 of which came in the second half, while sophomore Jason Laatsch (Birmingham, Ala./Briarwood Christian School) added eight points and seven assists.

UWF will continue play in the UWF Thanksgiving Classic tomorrow when they face Chowan University at 6 p.m. CT.

For information on all UWF athletics, visit www.GoArgos.com.
 

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