Stephen’s 34 not enough as Eagles fall to Raiders

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (February 7, 2015) – Elmo Stephen scored a career-high 34 points but it wasn't enough for Tallahassee Community College who dropped a 99-82 decision to Northwest Florida State College on Saturday evening in Panhandle Conference men's basketball action. 

The loss leaves the Eagles (17-9) on the brink of elimination from postseason contention. Tallahassee, 3-6 in PC play, now trails second-place Gulf Coast State College (5-3) by 2.5 games with three to play. Those two teams will meet next Saturday night in the home finale, which will also mark the final home game for Tallahassee head coach Eddie Barnes. 

Tallahassee went toe-to-toe with the Raiders for the first 20 minutes. 

A putback by Brandon Cheeks pulled the Eagles within a point (40-39) but Northwest Florida State scored the final six points of the half and took a seven-point lead to the locker room. 

The second half belonged to the Raiders, who outscored Tallahassee, 53-43, and led by as many as 20 points in the closing minutes. 

Both teams short north of 50.0 percent from the floor and the Eagles were more efficient at the free throw line, where Northwest Florida State managed to hit just 17-of-34 attempts. But turnovers proved costly for Tallahassee, whose 28 miscues resulted in 28 points for the visitors. 

Stephen, who averaged 31.0 points in three games against the Raiders this season, recorded his fourth 30-point game of the year. He shot 10-of-19 from the floor. 

Jahvaughn Powell and Cameron Smith added 16 points each. 

Jalen Jackson led Northwest Florida State with 26 points. 

Before next Saturday's home finale, the Eagles will travel to Pensacola State College on Wednesday for an 8:30 p.m. eastern tip against the Pirates.