Eagles fall in OT at NWF State in conference opener

NICEVILLE, Fla. (January 4, 2014) – FCSAA No. 2/NJCAA No. 4 Northwest Florida State College outscored FCSAA No. 4 Tallahassee 9-3 in overtime to claim a 77-71 win on Saturday night in the Panhandle Conference opener for both teams.

Tallahassee is now 11-6 (0-1 PC) on the season while Northwest Florida State improved to 16-1.

Trailing 66-64, Tallahassee put itself in position to win the game when Cameron Naylor connected on a drive to the basket and was fouled with 8.6 seconds left. He missed the free throw, however, to leave the game knotted at 66.

On the Raiders' ensuing possession, Benji Bell, who hadn't hit a shot all night, got into the paint and banked a running shot high off the glass for the apparent game-winner with :0.3 showing on the clock. But the celebration was short-lived when Northwest Florida State was assessed with a technical foul after players left the bench and came onto the floor to celebrate with Bell.

The technical foul gave the Eagles a reprieve and Dirk Williams connected on both free throws to send the game to overtime tied at 68. Tallahassee ended regulation on an 11-3 run to erase a 63-55 deficit.

In the extra period, Northwest Florida State held Tallahassee without a basket and outscored the Eagles 9-3 to claim the hard-fought victory.

Williams finished with a team-high 23 points to lead Tallahassee. Duran Porter came off the bench to add 17.

Despite playing without leading scorer Earvin Morris, who missed a second straight game with an ankle injury, Tallahassee was more than up to the task against the defending conference champions.

The Eagles started the game on a 10-1 run and enjoyed the lead for much of the first half before Northwest Florida State fought back to grab a 33-30 lead at the intermission.

The second half began in similar fashion as Tallahassee scored 11 of the first 13 points to regain a 41-35 advantage. The Eagles still enjoyed a five-point lead at the halfway point of the second half but a 15-2 run swung the momentum in favor of the home team and gave the Raiders an eight-point lead.

Farad Cobb led all players with 22 points for Northwest Florida State.

Tallahassee will play its PC home opener against Pensacola State College on Tuesday. Tip is at 7:30 p.m.