JeffHodgeUWF
Melanie Hodges
77
Winner West Florida UWF 18-2, 10-2 GSC
76
North Alabama UNA 10-9, 5-7 GSC
Winner
West Florida UWF
18-2, 10-2 GSC
77
Final
76
North Alabama UNA
10-9, 5-7 GSC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
West Florida UWF 36 41 77
North Alabama UNA 39 37 76

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Valdosta State

1/27/2018 | 3 PM

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Jan. 27 (Sat) / 3 PM
 Valdosta State
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

NO. 15 WEST FLORIDA EDGES LIONS 77-76

FLORENCE – A potential game-winning shot at the buzzer was off of the mark as North Alabama's upset bid against No. 15 West Florida came up short Thursday evening in Gulf South Conference men's basketball action. The Argonauts shot 51.9 percent from the floor in the second half to escape with a 77-76 victory at Flowers Hall.
 
The Lions had trimmed a 10-point deficit to a single point over the final 3:49 and were in position to steal a victory after UWF missed two free throws with 7.2 seconds remaining. A three-point shot by Jeff Hodge, however, rimmed out and neither team could control the rebound as time expired.
 
After UNA took a 39-36 lead into the break, the Argonauts began to heat up, hitting 14-of-27 shot attempts over the final 20 minutes of play. A basket with 13:27 remaining capped a 16-6 run and gave the visitors a 52-49 lead. The Lions responded with a free throw by Sharwyn McGee and a three-pointer by Hodge to regain the lead.
 
The score was tied at 59-59 when West Florida connected from three-point range on three consecutive offensive possessions to start a 14-4 run. A basket at the 5:11 mark gave the Argonauts a 73-63 lead.
 
The two teams traded baskets before a three-pointer by Kendall Stafford started the comeback for UNA. A layup by McGee cut the deficit to 75-70 before Kendarius Smith recorded a steal on the ensuing inbounds pass and later converted a four-point play. He drew a foul after knocking down a trey from the right corner and hit the free throw to make the score 75-74 with 1:46 remaining.
 
Each team hit two free throws down the stretch with Hodge connecting twice with 7.6 seconds to play to pull the Lions back to within a single point. West Florida's Marvin Jones was then fouled with 7.2 seconds remaining. The senior missed both foul shots, setting the stage for the wild finish.
 
Stafford led North Alabama with 23 points. Smith added 18 points while Hodge finished with 11 points on the night. McGee pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds and recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 10 points.
 
Darryl Tucker led West Florida (18-2 overall, 10-2 GSC) with 27 points and 10 rebounds.
 
UNA will host No. 14 Valdosta State on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at Flowers Hall.


 
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Players Mentioned

Jeff Hodge

#3 Jeff Hodge

G
5' 11"
Senior
Sharwyn McGee

#35 Sharwyn McGee

F
6' 5"
Senior
Kendarius Smith

#11 Kendarius Smith

G
5' 10"
Junior
Kendall Stafford

#24 Kendall Stafford

G/F
6' 4"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Jeff Hodge

#3 Jeff Hodge

5' 11"
Senior
G
Sharwyn McGee

#35 Sharwyn McGee

6' 5"
Senior
F
Kendarius Smith

#11 Kendarius Smith

5' 10"
Junior
G
Kendall Stafford

#24 Kendall Stafford

6' 4"
Junior
G/F