BOX SCORE

JACKSON, Tenn. – Four Argonauts recorded score in double-figures, including Xavier Washington who had a team-high 21 points, but it was not enough as the UWF Men's Basketball Team fell, 86-84, to Union on Friday night inside Fred Delay Gymnasium.
 
With the loss, UWF drops to 3-7 and 1-5 in Gulf South Conference play, while the Bulldogs move to 4-5 and 1-4 in league action.
 
Along with Washington, Eli Brown had 17 points on 50 percent shooting which included four of six from range.  Myles Ruth and Le'Tarion White each had 14 points on the night.  Xavier made a season-high eight field goals to contribute to UWF's 47 percent shooting night.  The Argonauts also went 23-31 from the free-throw line, their third most made in a single game this season.

"Another game that came down to the wire for us", said UWF Head Coach Justin Mann.  "We dug ourselves a hole in the first half because of a lack of effort on the defensive side of the game.  However, our guys continue to play with a lot of effort and heart and I love the fight and competitive nature nature they bring when their backs are against the wall."
 
The Bulldogs grabbed two quick leads of nine points on two separate occasions early in the first half at 17-8 and 21-12 before UWF went on a 12-4 run to cut the deficit to one, on a three by Eli Brown, at the 10:49 mark of the first period.  Union maintained a close lead before ending the half on a 17-7 run in the final five minutes to go up, 55-44, at the break.
 
Early in the second half, Union maintained their double-digit lead before six straight points from Brown and a lay-up by Washington, cut the deficit to three with just over 12 minutes to go in regulation.  UWF would continue to hang around before six straight points from Ruth sparked a 13-5 run to give the Argos the lead at 82-81, with 4:13 to go.
 
White would tie the game back up after a three from Justin DeBuck of Union before a tough foul on Nkoma sent Jeremiah Littlepage to the free throw line.  Only hitting one of two free-throws gave the Argos the chance, but UWF could not capitalize, missing three-field goal attempts and committing two turnovers in the final two minutes of game action.
 
Union shot 48.5 percent from the field and was led by Littlepage's 24 points.  Jordan Pyke had 21 points and 12 rebounds with Debuck adding 15 points.  
 
West Florida totaled 42 points in the paint, 24 points off turnovers, 25 fast break points and had 12 second chance points in the defeat.  

"We need to find a way to execute and finish plays when the opportunity is given", stated Mann.  " It is time to go back to work for Sunday and get a win going into the break."
 
UWF will be back in action on Sunday against Christian Brothers in Memphis, Tennessee.  Tip-off from Canale Arena is set for 3 PM.  
 
For the latest on the UWF Men's Basketball Team, please visit GoArgos.com or follow the team on Twitter and Instagram @UWFMensBBall.