PENSACOLA, Fla. – Junior Halee Nieman had 17 points to lead three players in double figures and UWF was dominant on defense, defeating Saint Leo, 71-47, in their home opener at the UWF Field House Sunday.
 
UWF (3-2) snapped a 2-game losing skid overall by holding the Lions to a season-low 47 points on 30 percent shooting, including a 1-for-22 effort from outside. SLU had been averaging just over eight made 3-pointers per game.

The Argonauts shot 44 percent and controlled the glass with a 50-29 rebounding margin.
 
In addition to Nieman's scoring, senior Shaniqua Magee made her first start in two seasons at UWF and finished with 12 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists. She had a career-high 14 on Tuesday at Spring Hill. Senior Courtney Meyer added 12 points and 10 boards for her fourth double-double of the season.
 
"It was nice being back at home where we have played well in the past and our defense was locked in all game," UWF Head Coach Stephanie Lawrence Yelton said. "Shaniqua had a great week of practice and that came through in her play today. She's been preparing herself to play well."
 
UWF held Saint Leo's Ragen Dotson, who entered as its leading scorer at 12.2 points per game, to just two free throws and 0-for-8 from the floor in 27 minutes. Madelin Lang led the Lions (1-5) with eight points – all of which came in the first half.
 
The Argos started slowly, falling behind 7-1 after the opening four minutes, only to go on an 11-1 run to grab a 12-8 lead. They eventually took a 31-17 lead into the locker room at halftime.
 
UWF opened up a 46-23 advantage in the third quarter thanks to a 15-4 run. That margin grew to 30 points at 55-25 just before the end of the quarter.
 
UWF will be back in action this Thursday when it plays host to Tuskegee (1-4) at 6:00 p.m.