VALDOSTA, Ga. – University of West Florida men's basketball (7-0) bested Fayetteville State (1-4) 71-60 at the Valdosta State Thanksgiving Classic Sunday behind a season-best 26 points and a double-double from Darryl Tucker as well as 18 points and 9 rebounds from Moter Deng. The win moved the Argos to 7-0, matching them with the 1997-1998 team for the best start through seven games in program history.
"It's something we wanted to do: to go undefeated in non-conference play, and now we're 7-0 going to conference play with one non-conference left," said UWF head coach Jeff Burkhamer. "We're happy with where we're at."
The Argos leapt out to an early lead, beginning the contest on an 18-9 run. Tucker came off the bench to score 5 of the squad's first 18 points. The Broncos quickly battled back to trim the West Florida advantage to 22-19 before the Argos closed the first on a 13-8 run to go to the break leading 35-27.
Tucker netted 17 of the team's 35 points in the first on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 shooting from the line. He also grabbed five boards and two steals.
"He was really good, gave us great lift on the bench," Burkhamer said of Tucker's performance. "He had a great game scoring and rebounding. I thought Moter really helped him inside grab some rebounds, and we had a couple guys come off the bench and help us steal the game."
Latrell Tidwell chipped in six points (2-3 FG, 1-2 FT) in the first. Deng grabbed five rebounds and added four points in the first. The Argos shot 14-of-30 from the field (46.7%) in the game's first 20 minutes vs. 9-of-21 (42.9%) from the field for the Broncos. UWF outrebounded Fayetteville 20-13 in the first and forced eight turnovers.
In the second, a three-pointer by Fayetteville's Denzell Hosch cut the Argo lead to 51-46 with 8:26 to go, but the Broncos would get no closer. The Argos closed the contest on a 20-14 rally capped by a dunk from Deng to stay perfect on the season.
Deng shot 6-of-8 from the field in the second to finish the contest with 18 points (8-13 FG, 2-2 FT), just two off his season-high. The game marked the third time in the last four that he has grabbed at nine rebounds.
Tucker's season-best 26 points came on 11-of-18 shooting from the field. He also grabbed 12 rebounds. The double-double was his fourth of the season and the ninth of his West Florida career.
Henri Ventoniemi knocked down 6-of-8 free throws in the game to finish with eight points. He also pulled down six boards. Brian Chalifoux knocked down two 3-pointers to finish with six points. Tidwell also finished with six points.
The Argos outrebounded Fayetteville 40-23. UWF piled up nine steals in the game, with Tucker and Rashaan Benson pacing the squad with three apiece. Benson also racked up seven assists. UWF finished the game 26-of-54 (48.1%) from the field vs. 20-of-44 (45.5%) from the field for the Broncos, who were led by Hosch. He netted 34 points (11-20 FG, 10-16 3-PT FG).
The Argos finished the Valdosta State Thanksgiving Classic 2-0. The team is now two wins away from matching the 1997-98 squad's overall record for best start (9-0).
"I think we had to play through some adversity on this trip," Burkhamer said. "But we still found ways to win, and that's something that can help us down the road."
UWF opens GSC play at home vs. Valdosta State Dec. 2. Tip-off in the conference opener at the UWF Field House is slated for 4:00 p.m.
"We've got a big week of classes and preparation for Valdosta," said Burkhamer. "It's going to be two undefeated team opening the conference schedule. It's going to be huge game playing the reigning champs, and we're looking forward to the challenge and preparing. We play well at home, and we'll need to find a way to play well at home again."
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NOTE: An earlier version of this article cited the team's 7-0 start as the best in program history. It has since been amended to reflect the 9-0 start of the 1997-1998 team.
