Tallahassee routs Volunteer State in season opener

NICEVILLE, Fla. (October 31, 2014) – Head coach Eddie Barnes' final season got off to a big start on Friday evening as FCSAA No. 4 Tallahassee Community College hammered Volunteer State (Tenn.) Community College, 118-67 on day one of the Quality Inn Classic, hosted by Northwest Florida State College.

Barnes, who will retire from coaching at the end of the 2014-15 season, improved to 13-1 in season openers at Tallahassee.

The 118 points marked the Eagles' highest scoring output in a season opener since posting 123 at Florida State College at Jacksonville in 1998. It was also the most points Tallahassee has scored in a game in almost six years. The Eagles scored 132 against IMG Academy on November 12, 2008.

Seven players scored in double-figures on Friday, led by sophomore guard Dirk Williams with 24 points on the strength of six three-pointers.

Stavian Allen was next with 17 points. Cameron Smith added 14 points, Elmo Stephen scored 12, and Rysheed Corbin and Norbertas Giga contributed 11 points each. Brandon Cheeks finished with ten.

Eric Nottage dished out 11 assists (nine in the first half) to go along with seven points.

Tallahassee led by only six midway through the first half but outscored Volunteer State by 19 over the final ten minutes to seize control and a 56-31 lead at the intermission.

The game was never in doubt during the second half, as the Eagles' lead grew to 78-47 by the ten-minute mark.

Tallahassee will continue play at the Quality Inn Classic at 6:30 p.m. eastern on Saturday against Faith Baptist (Ga.) Prep Academy.