Eagle men survive scare from Garrett College

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (December 30, 2014) – Tallahassee Community College's men's basketball team survived a major scare from NJCAA Division II Garrett (Md.) College on Tuesday evening, defeating the Lakers, 67-63, in day one action at the Tallahassee Democrat Holiday Classic.

Tallahassee is now 13-3 heading into Wednesday's final non-conference game against Hillsborough Community College.

Garrett, an NJCAA Division II National Tournament team in 2014, entered the Classic with a perfect 13-0 record. The Lakers never led but rallied from a 16-point deficit early in the second half to pull within a point (62-61) with just over a minute remaining in the game.

Tallahassee won the game at the free throw line.

Clinging to a one-point lead, Cameron Smith made one of two then, following a defensive stop, Dirk Williams hit a pair to extend the Eagles' lead to four (65-61) with nine seconds remaining.

Garrett's Chris Scarlett put back a missed shot with three seconds left then Williams hit two more from the charity stripe to finish the scoring.

Williams led Tallahassee with 19 points and was the only Eagle in double-figures. Smith pulled down 11 rebounds and blocked seven shots.

Scarlett led all scorers with 20 points for Garrett.

Tallahassee and Hillsborough will tip off at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Tallahassee Community College would like to thank the Leon County Tourist Development Council, the Tallahassee Democrat and Wendy's at Appleyard and Pensacola for their support of theTallahassee Democrat Holiday Classic.