PENSACOLA, Fla.- After a slow start to the game the University of West Florida Argonauts came back to defeat the Montevallo Falcons 75-74 in an overtime thriller. Headed into winter break UWF is 11-1 and 5-0 in Gulf South Conference play. For the first time since 2000 the Argos are 5-0 starting conference play.
Wendell Matthews and
Daniel Sofield each had a team high 14 points in the Argos win over the Falcons. Matthews finished the game with 10 rebounds, getting his third double double of the season. Sofield finished the evening with eight rebounds.
"We have found ways to win," said Coach
Jeff Burkhamer. "Our players have shown incredible resilience in close games. I thought it was a big game because it was a home game. The win allows us to stay at the top of GSC instead of being tied with Montevallo. Our players should be very proud of what they've accomplished to this point. Now we can get some rest and enjoy the holidays."
At the first media timeout the Argos trailed the Falcons. However midway through the first half UWF found their rhythm and got back in the game. As a team UWF was 9-32 from the field on 28.1 percent shooting. The Argos made just two three pointers during the half, coming from
Daniel Sofield and Dave Petit-Homme. The Argos out rebounded the Falcons 28-15 during the half and 13 offensive rebounds.
Leading the way for West Florida at the half was
Darrin Jenkins with nine points.
Jejuan Weatherspoon came off the bench for the Argos and had seven rebounds. In the first half Montevallo was 8-27 from the field for a field goal percentage of 29.6. The Falcons made two three-pointers and shot 20 percent from beyond the arc.
In the second half of the game both teams picked up the energy. The Argos improved their field goal percentage to 48.1 percent in the half going 13-27. West Florida made three, three-pointers during the second half improving their three-point field goal percentage to 42.9 percent. The final minutes second half saw both teams exchange baskets. With seconds remaining UWF held a three point lead. Montevallo's Braxton Bertolette would make a three-pointer to tie the game with 0.02 seconds remaining. The Argos were forced into their first overtime of the season.
During the second half Montevallo was 16-33 on 48.5 percent shooting and knocked down five three-pointers, for a three-point percentage of 38.5 percent.
Once overtime started Montevallo was the first to strike after a jumper from Bertolette. The Argos quickly answered with a layup from
Wendell Matthews. Much like the second half overtime was a back and forth battle between the two teams. Matthews, who scored the first basket for the Argos in overtime, finished it off with a layup. Montevallo had two opportunities to take the lead in the closing moments of the overtime period. The Falcons missed a contested jump shot and the ball went out of bounds off the Argos with 0.8 seconds remaining. On the inbound play Montevallo threw a lob pass that was tipped by Aaris-Monte Bonds. The tip glanced off the rim and the horn went off to end the game.
In overtime West Florida was 4-10, shooting 40 percent from the field. Montevallo was 2-7 shooting 28.6 percent from the field.
Overall UWF was 26-69 on 37.7 percent shooting from the field. The Argos made five three-pointers, with
Daniel Sofield having four of the five.
Kendall Bynum stepped up as the floor general for the Argos and had a team high seven assists off the bench. Bynum's ability to find open shots for the team allowed West Florida to improve their shooting percentage throughout the game.
Jejuan Weatherspoon finished the night as the team's leading rebounder with 11 total and eight offensive rebounds.
West Florida scored 42 points in the paint compared to Montevallos 34. UWF had 24 offensive rebounds that led to14 second chance points and had 26 points coming from the bench. Montevallo scored nine second chance points and had 10 points come from the bench.
David Petit-Homme finished the night in double figures with 10 points.
Darrin Jenkins and
Jackson Henningfield finished the night with nine points apiece.
Up next UWF will face the University of West Alabama Tigers in Livingston, Ala., on New Years Eve at 6 P.M.
How to follow the Argos: For complete information on UWF Men's Basketball follow the team on Instagram @UWFMBB and Twitter @UWFMENSBBALL
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