PENSACOLA, Fla. – Wendell Matthews scored a game-high 24 points and Daniel Sofield had the final six points for UWF in a thrilling 79-75 win over West Georgia on Wednesday at the UWF Field House.
 
Matthews took over in the second half, pouring in 17 after halftime, including 11-consecutive in a 3-minute stretch. Just about the only thing that could slow him down was a contact lens problem that saw him go to the locker room for a second replacement immediately following his 11-point outburst.
 
Sofield finished with 22 and moved into second place on the UWF career scoring list, passing former teammate Rashaan Benson. The Argo junior now has 1,262 points in 97 games. Anthony Russell scored 1,477 from 1995-98.
 
UWF (11-10, 7-10 Gulf South) ran its winning streak to four games while stopping West Georgia's 6-game skein.
 
UWF shot 52 percent and was 14-of-23 for 61 percent in the second half. Matthews and Sofield combined for 8-of-12 from the floor and 13-for-15 at the free throw line.
 
"Most of our games with West Georgia have been just like this – back-and-forth games that are one, two or three possession games," UWF head coach Jeff Burkhamer said. "And that's how this one was. We didn't play great the entire game but we found a way to win. We made free throws down the stretch and Daniel made a great look on the baseline and he stuck it."
 
The Argos made eight 3-pointers with five in the opening half. Jared DeHart was 3-for-3 from outside which included a make from the top of the key with the shot clock winding down that regained the lead for UWF at  71-70.
 
Sofield made a clutch basket with 26 seconds left that put UWF ahead 75-72. He then followed a Zawdie Jackson miss with two free throws to give the Argos a bit of a cushion at 77-72.
 
The Wolves came right back and JJ Barnes hit a three with 6.1 left. Sofield again got his number called as he was fouled and then made two more free throws to clinch the game.
 
The game had eight lead changes and nine ties, with UWF holding the largest lead at eight in the first half. Neither team led by more than six in the final 26 minutes.
 
UWG (13-5, 12-4) shot 40 percent and was paced in the scoring column by Michael Zabetakis' 19 points and nine boards. Jackson had 15 and seven assists.
 
The Argos will return to play in a week when they open a 3-game road trip at Union in Jackson, Tennessee. Tip-off at Fred DeLay Gymnasium is at 7:30 p.m.