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January 21, 2015
 
FLORENCE, Ala.  – North Alabama complied a 53.6% field goal percentage in the second half, including a 58.3% success rate from three-point range to surge past the University of West Florida men's basketball team on Thursday night, 91-83.
 
UWF went into the halftime break with a six-point lead behind a 15-point half from Rashaan Benson, while Mario Stramaglia knocked down 3-4 of his three-point shots. The first half also featured strong rebound performances from Austin Somerfield, who had five in the first half, and Jelani Pruitt, who had six in the first 20 minutes.
 
With the game knotted up at 37-37 with 3:03 remaining in the first half, West Florida was able to build its largest lead of the game starting with a jumper from Benson with 2:43 remaining. After a stop on the defensive end, Stramaglia received a pass from Justin Williams and knocked down a three-pointer to give UWF a 42-37 lead. The Argos would halt the Lions on their next two offensive possessions, and with 37 seconds remaining in the first, Stramaglia knocked down his third three of the half to give UWF a 45-37 advantage. UNA came out of the second half strong and erased UWF's largest lead of the game within a minute and a half into the second.
 
West Florida (3-12, 2-10 GSC) was able to present a solid offensive showing, as five Argonauts posted double-digit point totals. Benson led the Argonauts with 23, while Stramaglia, Pruitt and Deangelo Legrier added 10 points apiece. Jason Laatsch contributed 11 points in the effort as the Argos posted its third highest single game point total of the season. Benson matched his career-high in assists as he tallied a team-high seven helpers in the loss.
 
North Alabama (11-7, 8-4 GSC) was able to avenge its 96-85 setback against the Argos on Dec. 5 by featuring five double-digit scorers of their own. Da'Shaun Griffin led the Lions with 21 points, while Austin Timms posted 20 points. Griffin went a perfect 8-8 from the field, including going 3-3 from beyond the arc, while knocking down both of his two free throw attempts. In addition to his perfect shooting performance, Griffin reeled in a game-high 14 rebounds. Reigning GSC Player of the Week John Fletcher posted 17 points on the evening.
 
UWF shot 49.2%(32-65) in the game, including a 53.1% (17-32) mark in the first half. The Argonauts went 9-22 (40.9%) on three-point attempts, while struggling with free throw attempts, going 10-30 (33.3%) from the charity stripe. UNA converted on 51.8% (29-56) of attempts from the field, highlighted by going 50% (12-24) from three. UNA had the same number of free throw attempts as UWF, with 30, yet was able to make the most of free chances by going 70% (21-30) from the line.
 
UWF will return to action on Saturday when it travels to Alabama Huntsville for a nationally televised contest on the American Sports Network, beginning at 3 p.m. The game will be televised locally in the Pensacola/Mobile area on WFGX Channel 35 and online at NCAA.com and will follow the UWF-UAH women's game at 1 p.m.
 
For information on all UWF athletics, visit www.GoArgos.com.