BOX SCORE

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Tautvydas Kupstas scored 13 of his game-high 24 points in the second half, leading the UWF Men's Basketball Team past Shorter, 72-70, on Saturday afternoon at the UWF Field House.
 
With the victory, UWF moves to 6-11 and 4-9 in the Gulf South Conference while Shorter drops to 3-15 and 1-13 in league play.
 
Even though the Argos only shot 37 percent from the field, they earned 45 points from their bench with Kupstas contribution to go along with 13 points combined from guards, Rodney Bryant and Ankit Choudhary.  Xavier Washington added 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds while Channick Nkoma and Sterling White III had four assists each.
 
"It was another good defensive effort from our guys", stated UWF Head Coach Justin Mann.  "Holding a team to 70 points again and holding them well below their season average, allowed us to get out in transition.  It is always good to get a win in front of the home crowd."
 
The Hawks led for the first seven minutes of the first frame, before a three from Kupstas gave the Argos their first lead of the game at 16-15, with 12:18 to go in the half.  It was one of six three pointers on the night for Kupstas, which is a new season-high.
 
Shorter would re-take the lead on two free-throws by Krei Kyncy at the 8:55 mark, before UWF would go on a quick 7-0 spurt later in the period to make it 32-25, the biggest lead of the game for either team.  The teams would go to the break with the Argos leading, 36-32.
 
A three-pointer by Choudhary at the 15:18 mark of the second half would give UWF their biggest advantage of the contest at 48-39.  West Florida would later extend the lead to 10 on a three-pointer by Kupstas with just under nine minutes remaining, before Shorter closed the gap on a jumper by Landon Tillman, cutting the deficit to four with 5:28 left.
 
UWF maintained at least a two-possession lead heading into the final minutes, before missed free throws opened the door for the Hawks to get back in the game.  After Le'Tarion White made one of two from the charity stripe with just over two seconds remaining, Gary Clay Jr.'s half-court shot was just off the mark, giving the Argos the two-point victory.
 
Kyncy led Shorter with 19 points and six rebounds, while Ricky Knight Jr. added 15 points for the visitors who only shot 34 percent but stayed in the game due to 23 made free throws.
 
"We had a good effort, and we made some winning plays down the stretch", Mann continued.  "We had a huge defensive stand late and I appreciate all the fans who came out to the game.  "We have another big test on the road this week and we need to be ready.  Go Argos!"
 
West Florida will be back in action next Thursday as they travel to Mississippi College.  Tip-off against the Choctaws is set for 7:30 PM from Clinton, Mississippi.
 
For the latest on the UWF Men's Basketball Team, please visit GoArgos.com or follow the team on Twitter and Instagram @UWFMensBBall.