SATURDAY VS. PBA AT 2 PM ET: LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
            
VALDOSTA, Ga. – The UWF women's basketball team suffered an 80-74 loss to Benedict at The Complex in the season opener for both teams on Friday.
 
UWF shot 40 percent in the game and outrebounded the Lady Tigers, 38-33, but got into foul trouble which allowed Benedict to use its size advantage inside to chip away at the lead. 
 
Maddie Griffon led the Argonauts with a career-high 19 points, six rebounds and three assists. Jaclyn Jarnot joined her in double figures with 17 points and six boards, while making 3-of-6 from outside. Peyton Lewis led all players with four 3-pointers on her way to 12 points in 14 minutes off the bench.
 
The Argos led by seven after the first quarter and extended the lead to 39-24 at the half. But Benedict came back and got within six after the third and used an 11-0 run to take a 70-64 lead with 2:27 remaining. The Lady Tigers had nine points off six turnovers in the final quarter, including four points in the game-changing run.
 
"We got into foul trouble and had to sit some of our players who had been a big part of our offense up to that point," UWF head coach Stephanie Lawrence Yelton said. "We have to find a way to minimize the paint touches on defense."
 
UWF pulled to within two at 72-70 on a Lewis triple with one minute to play but missed its final four shots while having to foul as Benedict secure the game with 6-of-8 free throws.
 
Benedict was led in scoring by all-region performer Ay'Anna Bey who had 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting and 9-of-11 at the foul line. 
 
UWF will return to action on Saturday afternoon at The Complex when it faces Palm Beach Atlantic (0-1) at 2 p.m. EST.