PENSACOLA, Fla-  The UWF Men's Basketball team improved to 4-0 on the season after defeating Albany State University 78-76.  LaTrell Tate scored the game winning basket  in the final seconds of the game and led the team with 16 points on the night.

Daniel Sofield was just behind Tate with 15 points of his own. Jejuan Weatherspoon added 11 points to push the Argos ahead. Wendell Matthews and David Petit-Homme both led the team in rebounds with six each. 

The Argos got off to a quick 4-0 lead to start the game after Darrin Jenkins knocked down two free throws and David Petit-Homme scored in the paint. Albany State responded by driving the ball down the court, followed by a three-pointer from Malik Parker to give ASU their first lead of the game. The Argos trailed up until the half way mark of the first half. LaTrell knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game in the first half. 

The first half of the game was a back and forth game as both teams traded baskets after the game being tied at 17 a piece. In the first half the Argos were 14-36 shooting 38.9 percent from the field. The West Florida defense was solid, forcing six turnovers and having 25 rebounds. ASU narrowly outshot UWF in the first half. ASU was 13-33 shooting 39.4 percent from the field. The key difference in the offense came in the ability to make three-pointers. The Rams made five three-pointers, shooting 45.5 percent. West Florida took advantage at the free throw line, with Darrin Jenkins and LaTrell Tate each having two and Brandon Burford adding on one more. At halftime the Argos led 34-33.

"Great environment and found a way to win," UWF Coach Burkahmer said. "We got a couple good stops and got the rim and were able to make free throws. We did a nice job during the game to force hard shots. Any time you can win close games and teach from that is better than losing close games. This was a really good test for us, we had to fight from behind late and had to make play so really good win for us."

Malik Parker put the Rams ahead early to start the second half, after scoring his fourth three-pointer of the night. Parker led the way for ASU with 26 points, shooting 10-21 from the field and knocking down a team high six three-pointers. ASU trailed West Florida much of the second half, shooting 18-39 from the field.

During the second half West Florida was able to stall the Albany State offense, through quick transitions with 10 steals and forcing 14 turnovers. West Florida scored 16 points off turnovers throughout the course of the game. The Argos offense improved during the second half and the team was 16-28, shooting 57.1 percent from the field. Albany State was able to fight their way back into the game and take the lead with seven minutes remaining in regulation. 

The last seven minutes of the game saw both teams trade baskets. With 18 seconds remaining Jordan Simpson made a layup for ASU  to tie the game at 76. After an ASU timeout Kendall Bynum was able to drive the ball down the court for the Argos and find LaTrell Tate. Tate scored a layup with five seconds remaining in the game and was able to put the Argos ahead once and for all. 

"This team, we're very talented we got a lot of different players that can score", said LaTrell Tate ."We don't have to get the ball to one person and tell them to go win it for us anybody can make a play at anytime"

The University of West Florida Men's Basketball team will be back in action on the road on Wednesday, Nov.24 against Spring Hill College.

For the latest on the University of West Florida Men's Basketball team follow the on Twitter @UWFMENSBBALL and on Instagram @UWFMBB.