ROME, Ga. – Shorter was able to compile a 56.1 shooting percentage to push past West Florida, 88-68 on Monday evening. After the setback, West Florida now stands in a five-way tie for eighth place in the Gulf South Conference, as Lee, Mississippi College, West Alabama and Shorter all have 1-3 conference marks in the early goings of the 2015 season.
West Florida (2-5, 1-3 GSC) was able to jump out to a 10-5 lead to start the contest, but Shorter (5-4, 1-3 GSC) utilized a 9-0 run to take a 14-10 lead. Shorter would continue to control the pace of the rest of the game, as the Hawks would head into the halftime break up 38-28 and use strong shooting in the second half to keep the Argos at bay.
Shorter's offense was focused on Phil Taylor who scored a game-high 21 points. Amonte Parker added 16 points, while Chris Daniels led the Hawks' efforts on the boards with eight rebounds. Taylor also dished a game-high six assists to set the tone for the Hawks' offense.
Lendward Griffin nearly recorded a double-double, posting nine points and a game-high nine rebounds. Austin Somerfield saw limited action due to foul trouble in the first half, but posted 12 second half points and ended the contest with a team-high 14 points. Jason Laatsch and Jelani Pruitt both reached double figures with 10 and 11 points, respectively.
West Florida was able to improve its shooting in the second half, as the Argos shot 37.9% in the first half in comparison to a 56% success rate in the second half. UWF specifically struggled with three-point shooting, converting on 28.6% of their attempts. UWF and Shorter shot an identical 70% from the free-throw line in the GSC match.
Shorter won the battle on the glass, out-rebounding UWF 34-24. Shorter's effort also featured some stingy defense, as the Hawks snagged 14 steals and tallied 23 points off turnovers. Shorter's second half surge included an impressive 65.5 field goal percentage and a 45.5% conversion rate on three-point attempts. The Hawks were also able to win the battle down low, totaling 32 points in the paint, while holding UWF to 26 from close range.
With the victory, Shorter was able to garner its first home and GSC win of the season.
West Florida now looks towards a pair of home conference match ups, as the Argos host Mississippi College on Thursday at 7:30 and Delta State on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Both times are estimates, as the games will follow the UWF women's basketball contests.
In partnership with Whataburger, UWF Student Government Assocation will host the first Whataburger Food Drive on Thursday. Free Whataburger coupons will be given to every fan that brings a canned good or toiletry item to Thursday's game, and all donations will benefit UWF students by going to the Argo Pantry. On-campus clubs and organizations are encouraged to compete for donations before the game, and the winning group will receive a prize.
