FORT VALLEY, Ga.- Sophomore Michael Green recorded 16 points and five rebounds, but the Albany State men's basketball team was unable to find victory in its season opener. ASU's late comeback attempt fell short in the second half, and the team was eventually defeated 72-63 by the University of West Florida in the opening round of the SIAC-Gulf South Challenge.

The two teams engaged in a close game for most of the first half. Albany State only trailed 36-32 with 3:11 left in the stanza. However, West Florida ended the half on a 10-0 run to take a 46-32 lead at halftime.

Still behind by double digits midway through the second half, Albany State started a comeback. Free throws by Brandon Hudson and Devontay Ward cut the Argonauts' lead to 58-53 with 8:50 remaining in the game.

Green went on his own personal run to get the team back into contention. He scored eight straight points to tie the game at 61 with 4:48 left. UWF's Jason Laatsch gave his team the lead, 64-61, 35 seconds later with a three-pointer.

The Golden Rams had difficulty scoring for the rest of the game and made some late turnovers that stalled their rally. West Florida was able to pull away in the remaining minutes.

Ward finished with 12 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. ASU was 23-of-60 (38.3%) from the field, 2-of-16 (12.5%) from three-point range and 15-of-23 (65.2%) from the free throw line.

Laatsch led West Florida with a game-high 17 points. Austin Somerfield and Darryl Tucker each recorded double-doubles. Somerfield had 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Tucker tallied 10 points and 13 rebounds. Rashaan Benson added 11 points.

The Argonauts were 22-of-65 (33.8%) from the field, 5-of-20 (25%) from three-point range and 23-of-30 (76.7%) from the free throw line.