Eagle men fall to Southwest Tennessee in Classic finale

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (November 27, 2014) - NJCAA No. 11 Southwest Tennessee Community College rebounded from its first loss of the season and knocked FCSAA No. 1 Tallahassee Community College from the ranks of the unbeaten, 84-76, in Thursday's final game of the Capital Courtyard Classic. 

The Eagles are now 9-1 on the season while Southwest Tennessee improved to 8-1. 

Southwest Tennessee jumped out to a 10-0 lead to put the Eagles in catch-up mode right out of the gates. Tallahassee slowly chipped away and was within three (34-31) at the six-minute mark but the Saluquis answered with a 16-2 run that flipped the momentum. 

Southwest Tennessee shot a blistering 69.0 percent (20-of-29) from the floor in the first half and hit 7-of-11 from long distance en route to a 53-37 lead at the break. 

The Eagles trailed by as many as 22 in the early stages of the second half before mounting a charge. 

Dirk Williams' three-pointer made it a ten-point game (79-69) with 2:50 remaining but a couple of empty possessions doused any hopes of a comeback. 

Williams finished with 17 points to lead Tallahassee. Elmo Stephen and Eric Nottage added 15 each and Norbertas Giga scored 13. 

The Eagles will return to action on Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6 when they host the Applebee's Men's Basketball Classic.

Tallahassee Community College would like to thank the Leon County Tourist Development Council, the Capital Courtyard by Marriott and Chick-fil-A West Tennessee Street for their support of the Capital Courtyard Classic.