Back with a vengeance

MARIANNA, Fla. (December 6, 2013) – Playing for the first time since November 16, Tallahassee Community College's men's basketball team scored an 84-61 victory over State College of Florida on day one of the Milton H. Johnson Panhandle Classic, hosted by Chipola College.

Tallahassee showed little rust from its extended layoff and led, essentially, from start to finish. Actually, the Eagles grabbed the lead before a second had ticked off the clock. State College of Florida, who arrived late for the 3 p.m. start, was assessed an administrative technical foul, and Tallahassee's Dirk Williams knocked down a pair of free throws.

After things officially began, it was all Tallahassee.

The Eagles had a double-digit lead (17-7) just over seven minutes into the game and led by as many 18 before taking a 41-25 lead to the locker room.

After knocking down 16 of its 33 first-half field goal attempts, Tallahassee was even better in the second stanza, connecting on 19-of-35 shots

Michael Saxton's basket at the 3:39 mark gave the Eagles their largest lead of the game, 79-52.

All ten Tallahassee players who dressed found their way into the scorebook, led by Dirk Williams' 20 points. Cameron Naylor came off the bench to score 15 and Earvin Morris tossed in 11.

Deonte Hearns (21 points, 15 rebounds) and Obinna Oleka (18 points, 11 rebounds), combined for 39 points and 26 of the Manatees' 38 rebounds.

Tallahassee will travel back to Marianna on Saturday for a 1 p.m. eastern tip against Baton Rouge (La.) Community College.