University of West Florida

BOX SCORE

ATLANTA, Ga. – Three Argonauts scored in double figures, including Tautvydas Kupstas who had a game-high 17 points, as the UWF Men's Basketball team held off Fort Valley State, 65-62, on Saturday afternoon inside Epps Gymnasium.
 
West Florida improves to 1-1 on the young season while FVSU drops to 0-2.
 
"It feels good to get our first win", said UWF Head Coach Jeff Burkhamer.  "We made some big plays down the stretch on both sides of the ball and learned a lot this weekend and know that we have to continue to improve. But, it's always better to teach after a win."
 
Along with Kupstas, Xavier Washington posted his second-straight double-figure scoring performance as he and Eli Brown chipped in 11 points.  As a squad, the Argonauts shot 45.1 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three-point range.  They also had only 10 turnovers compared to the Wildcats' 15.
 
After Fort Valley State raced out to a 27-19 advantage with 6:14 remaining in the first half, West Florida battled back and went on a 13-2 run, capped by a Eli Brown three-pointer, to re-take the lead at the 1:44 mark.  UWF took the lead into the break at 32-31.
 
Second-half action was more of the same with neither team leading by more than two points midway through the frame.  A three-point field goal by Kupstas gave UWF their biggest lead of the second half at the 6:40 mark as the Argonauts held a six-point advantage, but a Myson Lowe free-throw once again cut the lead to two with 3:10 left.
 
After neither team made a field goal two and a half minutes, Kupstas iced the game with another three to put the Argonauts up five and bury the Wildcats for good. Lowe had a game-high 24 points to lead Fort Valley State.
 
The Argonauts will return home on Tuesday night for their home opener against Pensacola Christian College. Tip-off from the UWF Field House is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
For the latest on the UWF Men's Basketball Team, please visit GoArgos.com or follow the team on Twitter and Instagram @UWFMensBBall.