PENSACOLA, Fla. - The University of West Florida men's basketball team will host Delta State University and Mississippi College this weekend at the UWF Field House.

The Argonauts will face the Delta State Statesmen Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. CT. The Statesmen are currently seventh in the Gulf South Conference with a 11-10 record and are 8-7 in the GSC. UWF lost in its first match-up with the Statesmen this season 72-69 in a game that went into overtime. Senior Erin Straughn (Pensacola, Fla./East Carolina University) led UWF in the loss with 29 points and posted a double-double with 11 rebounds.

West Florida will then take on the Mississippi College Choctaws on Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. CT. The Choctaws currently hold an 8-9 record (6-9 GSC) but are ineligible for the GSC Tournament during the reclassification process. The Argos faced MC on Dec. 18 this season and fell 78-60 in Clinton, Miss.
 
What started as an NCAA Division II-leading six team battle for first in the Gulf South Conference standings has quickly turned into a two-team race with at least five other teams still in contention. Both Shorter, riding a five-game winning streak, and No. 24 West Georgia, winner of four-straight, are 11-4 to lead the GSC. Alabama Huntsville (10-5), Union and West Alabama (both 9-6) and two 8-7 teams; Christian Brothers and Delta State are all riding the shirt tail of the two frontrunners heading into this week.

There is no slowing down this week as Thursday will see two big matchups. Christian Brothers (8-7) will travel to West Alabama (9-6) as the Tigers will try to outscore (75.2 ppg) the league's best scoring defense in the Bucs (66.2 ppg allowed). The other game features West Georgia (11-4) playing host to Union (9-6). The Wolves (87.6 ppg) and Bulldogs (78.9 ppg) should combine for a high-scoring affair.

Saturday tabs CBU and UWG, UU and UWA and Shorter (11-4) against Alabama Huntsville (10-5). The Hawks have the league-best scoring average with 88.9 ppg, while the Chargers are only allowing 67.3 ppg and are 10-2 at home.