PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of West Florida men's basketball team edged Valdosta State in a thrilling Gulf South Conference showdown, holding on for a 107–104 victory Saturday afternoon at the UWF Field House.
 
The Argonauts (7–3, 1–2 GSC) delivered a fast-paced offensive performance and capitalized at the free-throw line to fend off a late push from the Blazers. West Florida shot 50.7 percent from the field and an impressive 59.1 percent from beyond the arc, while knocking down 26-of-32 attempts at the charity stripe.
 
Anthony Igiede led all scorers with 24 points, adding seven rebounds and shooting 4-for-6 from three-point range. Ryan Payne provided a big spark, scoring 20 points on just seven field goal attempts and going a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line. Tim Hall Jr. contributed 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while Colby McAllister added 15 points off the bench, including three three-pointers.
 
West Florida built momentum early, shooting 61.8 percent in the first half and knocking down nine three-pointers to take a 59–50 advantage into the break. The Argos continued to pressure Valdosta State offensively, using efficient ball movement and timely perimeter shooting to maintain control for much of the second half.
 
Valdosta State made multiple late runs, tying the game at 90–90 with just over five minutes remaining, but West Florida responded with clutch baskets and free throws down the stretch. Payne and Igiede combined for key points in the final minute to seal the victory, despite the Blazers cutting the margin to three in the closing seconds.
 
The Argos finished with 20 assists on 34 made field goals and outscored Valdosta State 30–27 in bench points, showcasing their depth in a high-scoring conference battle.
 
UWF will hit the road next week to face Lee in Cleveland, Tennessee, on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Live stats will be available on GoArgos.com.
 
For more information on the UWF men's basketball program, visit GoArgos.com and follow the team on social media at @uwfmbb (Instagram) and @UWFMensBBall (X).