PENSACOLA, Fla. — Shooting layups is easier than knocking down perimeter shots and the West Florida women proved it Thursday night against North Alabama.

The Argonauts consistently were able to drive to the basket for easy layups, while the Lions got nothing easy. The result was a 74-63 West Florida victory.

It was the fifth Gulf South Conference loss in the past six games for UNA (12-10, 3-7 GSC).

West Florida (9-13, 5-5) shot 52.1 percent from the field and hit 11 of 18 (61.1 percent) shots in the second half. The Argonauts finished with 34 points in the paint to just 14 for the Lions.

“We’re just not very good defensively right now,” coach Terry Fowler said. “We’ve struggled to score points, but it still goes back to not being able to get stops.

“Our scouting report said to guard the paint and make them shoot the outside shots and we did a poor job doing that. They were able to drive to the basket and get easy shots in transition.”

The lead went back and forth during the first half. Jessi Smith sparked the Lions with three 3-pointers, the third of which put UNA up 23-22. West Florida rallied to take a 37-33 advantage into halftime.

The Argonauts extended their lead to 42-33 early in the second half and they pushed the advantage to 57-45 with just under seven minutes remaining.

“We actually got some stops to start the second half, but we couldn’t do anything offensively,” Fowler said. “We’re not making enough winning plays right now, which are just smart basketball plays. We had no composure tonight.”

The Lions made one run at West Florida, trimming the margin to 60-55 after a 3-pointer by Dana Jackson with 2:52 remaining.

But the Argonauts quickly responded with back-to-back layups by Hanna Veette, who converted the second one into a three-point play, pushing the lead to 65-55.

UNA hit more 3-pointers (10) than 2-pointers (9). The Lions also hurt themselves with 18 turnovers, including 11 in the second half.

Smith led UNA with 15 points and Jasmine Horne scored 10. Vette paced West Florida with 23 points.

“West Florida seemed to want it more than we did and that’s disappointing,” Fowler said. “We were not able to match their intensity, and that’s on me.”

UNA will play at Valdosta State on Saturday.

Jeff McIntyre can be reached at 256-740-5737 or jeff.mcintyre@TimesDaily.com.