BOX SCORE

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The UWF Men's Basketball Team had their toughest night offensively all season, shooting just 33 percent, as they fell, 70-51, to Lee on Thursday night inside the UWF Field House.
 
With the loss, West Florida drops to 5-11 and 3-9 in Gulf South Conference action while the Flames move to 10-5 and 8-5 in league play.
 
Tautvydas Kupstas once again led the Argos with 15 points on 5-9 shooting, which included 3-5 on three-point field goals. It's his fifth game of the year with at least three, three-point field goals.  Rodney Bryant added nine points, while Myles Ruth tallied seven points and five assists with Xavier Washington totaling seven points and five rebounds.
 
"I am proud of our defensive effort", said UWF Head Coach Justin Mann.  "We held them below their average for the season, but unfortunately, they got some good looks late because we over helped, and they knocked them down.  We did not execute our offensive transition when we got our stops which made us play in the half court."
 
Lee got off to a good start, leading 15-9 on a three by Beyuan Hendricks at the 9:09 mark of the first frame.  West Florida then countered with a 14-2 run, powered by threes from Bryant and Kupstas to put the hosts up six with just under six minutes before halftime.  Back-to-back three-pointers from Hendricks and a jumper from Tim Vaughn helped the Flames close the half on a 10-1 run and head to the break, up three.
 
The Flames continued their momentum into the second half, going up 11 mid-way through the frame on a jumper by Hendricks, with a free throw by Vaughn extending the lead to 14 at the 12 minute mark.  Lee would get the lead to as many as 17 points with under 8 minutes to go before a lay-up by Kupstas cut the deficit to 12, the smallest margin between the two teams since the time of 11:06.
 
It would all be for not though, as a three-pointer from Tariq Daughton, followed by a jumper from J.J. Barnes would give the Flames the momentum to get to the finish line.
 
Hendricks led the Flames with a game-high 26 points and six assists.  Barnes and Vaughn added 10 points apiece, while Makhi McGuire added a game-high 10 rebounds.  Lee shot 44 percent from the field and had 32 points in the paint.
 
"We are excited to get back after it against Shorter", continued Mann.  "Thanks to the all the fans that showed up tonight."
 
UWF will return to action on Saturday, as they host Shorter.  Tip-off against the Hawks is set for 4 PM from the UWF Field House.
 
For the latest on the UWF Men's Basketball Team, please visit GoArgos.com or follow the team on Twitter and Instagram @UWFMensBBall.