PENSACOLA, Fla. – Coming off Thursday's loss to AUM, UWF head coach Jeff Burkhamer challenged his team to be more physical. On Saturday they did just that.
 
UWF turned in a dominating defensive performance and defeated West Alabama, 61-49, at the UWF Field House.
 
The Argonauts held the Tigers to season-lows in points and shooting – 22.8 percent – while ending their 4-game road winning streak.
 
"I thought we were very active on their shooters," Burkhamer said. "Our defense was terrific and we rebounded just enough to win the game. I thought the guys competed and played hard."
 
The Argonauts (10-9, 7-5 Gulf South) shot 52 percent in the first half and 42 percent for the game. They were also 8-of-18 from outside and had 11 steals off 17 Tiger turnovers, which UWF turned into 20 points.
 
Jon Brown led all players with 20 points, while Conor Flanagan had three 3-pointers on his way to 11 points. Cameron Cox and Tarik McKelphin added 10 apiece.
 
UWA led 17-12 before the Argos regained the lead with eight-straight, getting threes from Flanagan and Daniel Sofield and a jumper from McKelphin. The teams traded baskets until it was tied at 25. That's when UWF closed the half on a 9-0 run over the last 4:13 for a 34-25 lead.
 
In the second half, UWA got the margin down to four in the opening minutes. But the Argos had an answer, rattling off 12-consecutive for a 46-30 lead. The Tigers never got closer than nine the rest of the game.
 
UWA (14-5, 7-4) shot just 3-for-26 from outside. They were coming off a game against Montevallo where they had made 15 3-pointers and shot 61 percent overall.
 
Rene Scott led the team with 12 points as eight of those came at the free throw line.
 
UWF will get another shot at Auburn-Montgomery (9-10, 4-7) next week when the two teams meet at the AUM Gymnasium on Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.