Eagles' comeback not enough against Gulf Coast State

By Karl Hunt, TCC Sports Information

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (January 28, 2015) – The Tallahassee Community College Eagles men's basketball team lost their Panhandle Conference matchup on Wednesday evening, 76-66 to Gulf Coast State College.   

The Eagles (16-8) are now fell to 2-5 in conference play with just five games remaining. 

Tallahassee got off to a slow start against the Commodores.  After scoring the game's first two points the Eagles went cold and surrendered 12 straight points. 

Tallahassee slowly clawed its way back into the game to pull within three points with 2:20 left to play in the half.  

The highlight of the half came off a Norbertas Giga rebound when he found Dirk Williams streaking down the floor.  Williams finished the fast break with a monster tomahawk dunk that brought life back into the Eagles offense. 

Tallahassee entered halftime trailing 38-34. 

In the second half it appeared the Eagles had found their stride.  They came out of the locker room and traded blows with the Commodores as both teams went back and forth on the offensive end. 

Tallahassee tied the game at 43-all at the 16:46 mark when Giga hit his second three of the night. 

But Quavius Copeland was too much for the Eagles to handle as he pushed the Commodores' lead back to nine with a three-pointer.  Copeland had 24 points on the night. 

The Eagles did not go away quietly and pulled back within striking distance on another Giga three with 9:55 left in the game.  At that point the Eagles trailed 57-51. 

Gulf Coast then went on a 13-4 run to put the game out of reach.   

Giga lead the team tonight and filled out the stat sheet while recording his third double-double this season with 17 points and 10 rebounds. 

Williams and Jahvaughn Powell both scored in double figures, scoring 15 and 11 points, respectively. 

The Eagles will return home for a match up with Chipola College on Tuesday, February 3. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.