CARROLLTON, Ga. - The University of West Georgia men's basketball team was edged out in the program's first Atlantic Sun Conference game at The Coliseum, falling to Florida Gulf Coast University, 79-68. 

The Wolves (2-12, 0-1 ASUN) opened tonight's contest neck-and-neck with the Eagles of FGCU (6-8, 1-0 ASUN), trailing 32-27 at the half after the visitors went on a late 8-2 run to end the period. 

Throughout the first, the lead changed back and forth five times and was tied twice.

"We battled and scrapped in the first half. We had some opportunities at the basket that we let get away, which certainly could have made it closer at halftime." said head coach Dave Moore following the loss. 

Leading the way for the Wolves in the first was Shelton Williams-Dryden, knocking down a team-high 11 points. This excellent opening half enabled the season's scoring leader to finish with a West Georgia-best 22 points, shooting 10-18 from the field and 2-3 from long range.

The Wolves trailed by five at the break with the team hitting 12-29 of their shots. 

Coming out of the half, the Wolves continued to try to limit the FGCU Eagles' scoring, but the visitors could not miss, hitting 57 percent of their field goals in the period.

"We gave up way too many easy baskets in the second half. That's the story of the second." Coach Moore emphasized after the game. 

Each time UWG closed the gap, the Eagles responded with quick baskets to push their lead to more than 10. 

FGCU held on to win 79-68 over West Georgia. 

Tauris Watson secured his second consecutive double-digit scoring game, tallying 15 points while shooting 5-8 from the field and 2-5 from beyond the arc. 

Looking ahead to this weekend's home game, Coach Moore was excited about the opportunity to go deeper into conference play. Coach Moore stated, "We can compete with anyone in this league if we defend, rebound and take care of the ball."

The Wolves return to The Coliseum this Saturday to continue conference play against Stetson University at 2 p.m.