Strong second half pushes Tallahassee past Gulf Coast State

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (January 6, 2016) – FCSAA No. 9 Tallahassee Community College outscored No. 6 Gulf Coast State College 53-31 in the second half and defeated the Commodores 95-81 on Wednesday evening in men's basketball action. 

With the win, Tallahassee (13-7) increased its winning streak to six games and improved to 2-0 in Panhandle Conference play for the first time since 2010. 

The second half was a stark difference from the first 20 minutes when Gulf Coast State dropped 50 points on the Eagles' defense and led by eight points. 

Tallahassee scored the first ten points of the second half, capped by Deion Bute's basket for a 52-50 lead at the 17:00 mark. The Commodores tied the game momentarily but a pair of free throws by David Simmons put the Eagles in front for good. 

Tallahassee began to pull away just past the midway point of the second half. Back-to-back three-pointers by Rashad Lewis pushed the Eagles' lead to 71-61 with 8:49 left in the game. 

Up seven, the Eagles used some timely shooting at the free throw line to put the game on ice, scoring its final seven points at the charity stripe to seal the 14-point victory. 

Overall, Tallahassee knocked down 24-of-30 from the charity stripe in the second half. 

Five players scored in double-figures for Tallahassee, led by Jahvaughn Powell's 21 points – he was a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line. 

Simmons added 19 points. Daishon Smith scored 17, Deion Bute, 16, and Rashad Lewis, 12. 

Bute also pulled down 13 rebounds as the Eagles dominated the glass to the tune of 58-31. 

Tallahassee will return to action on Saturday when it hosts Chipola College at 7:30 p.m.