Contact: Chris
Woodley
Phone: (850) 474-2428
November 16, 2004
Argonauts Sting Hornets in Season Opener
PENSACOLA, FLA. - James Vilsaint posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds as West Florida won a season-opener for the first time since 1999 with a 74-65 triumph Tuesday evening at the Lou Ross Center. Concordia College (AL) falls to 0-5.
“We were hesitant in some areas, but some of our players made big plays when they needed to,” said Head Coach Don Hogan.
The first half was a see-saw affair with four ties and seven lead changes in the first 15 minutes. The Argonauts used a 13-2 run in the final 5:09 of the first half to open an 11-point halftime advantage.
West Florida used the late first half momentum to build an 18-point lead early in the second half. But Concordia went on a 19-10 run to cut the lead to nine with 9:38 remaining. After the Argonauts rebuilt their lead to 14, Concordia went on another run of 13-4 to trim the deficit to five with just under three minutes remaining, but the Hornets would not get any closer.
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga transfer Bryan Richardson just missed a double-double in his Argonaut debut. Richardson totaled 17 points and nine rebounds. Tuck Taylor added 11 points and six rebounds, and Naazir Russell had 10 points and six rebounds. Clifton Reeves led Concordia with 17 points.
West Florida returns to action this Thursday against NAIA opponent William Carey College at 8 pm at the Lou Ross Center. It is the first of two meetings this season.