Eagles hang on in Holiday Classic opener

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (December 28, 2015) - Tallahassee Community College got 27 points from Daishon Smith and two other players scored in double-figures as the Eagles picked up an 84-76 win over Shelton (Ala.) State Community College on day one action at the Tallahassee Democrat Holiday Classic. 

Smith, who hit 11-of-14 free throws to aid his team-high scoring output, was also credited with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. 

David Simmons added 19 points and nine rebounds and Jahvaughn Powell, playing in just his second game of the season, had 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. 

Powell, who suffered a fractured hand prior to the season opener, returned for limited minutes at Santa Fe College on November 17 but fractured his other hand a week later and had not played since the Eagles won in Gainesville. 

Tallahassee trailed 20-15 six minutes into the game but used an 8-0 run to grab a 23-20 lead with 12:06 left in the first half. The Eagles never trailed again but the game was tied twice more, including 53-all following a basket by Luke Musselwhite at the 13:43 mark of the second half. 

Tallahassee opened up a seven-point lead then, clinging to a 74-72 lead, Simmons muscled his way to a three-point play at the 2:03 mark to push the Eagles' advantage to five. 

Shelton State pulled to within 77-74 but the Eagles put the game away knocking down 5-of-8 from the charity stripe. Simmons closed the scoring with another basket in the paint with 19 seconds remaining. 

Tallahassee has won three straight to improve to 10-7 and will try to make it four in a row when it plays Central Georgia Technical College at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the final game of the Classic. 

Central Georgia Tech (9-5) fell to Pensacola State College (7-6), 75-72 in overtime, in Monday's first game. 

Shelton State had its two-game winning streak snapped and is now 10-5. 

Tallahassee Community College Athletics would like to thank the Leon County Tourist Development Council and Wendy's for its support of the Tallahassee Democrat Holiday Classic.