#TCCBasketball: Eagles fall to Chipola in PC home opener

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 9, 2018) – Behind the shooting of guards T.J. Howard and Brandon Mahan, Chipola College came to town and picked up an 87-71 win over Tallahassee Community College on Tuesday. 

Tallahassee dropped to 14-4 overall while its Panhandle Conference record evened up at 1-1. Chipola is 1-0 in league play (13-3 overall). 

The game was decided in the second half, in large part behind the shooting of Howard and Mahan, who went a combined 7-of-12 on three-pointers in the final 20 minutes. 

Mahan finished with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting (5-of-7 three-pointers) and Howard had 22 (7-16 FG, 6-13 3FG). Shamarkus Kennedy added 21 points and 11 rebounds. 

Tallahassee trailed 41-37 at the half and the deficit was one two minutes into the second half before a three-pointer by Mahan ignited a 12-0 run for Chipola. 

Kennedy finished things off on a putback at the 15:17 mark and the Indians led 55-42. Tallahassee didn't get closer than 10 points the rest of the way. 

Javien Williams scored 19 points to lead Tallahassee. Leon Freeman-Daniels had 13 and Quentin Jackson, 12. 

The first half was a back-and-forth affair as the game was tied five times and the lead swapped hands 12 times. 

Tallahassee led by six points two different times, the last coming at 28-22 following a basket by Jacob Winston at the 7:47 mark. 

Tallahassee will be back in action on Wednesday, January 17 at Northwest Florida State College. 

Eagles fall out of national poll 

Despite winning three straight games entering Tuesday's night game against Chipola, Tallahassee fell out of the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Poll on Tuesday. The Eagles were essentially ranked No. 26, listed as the top team among others receiving votes. 

Tallahassee's next opponent, Northwest Florida State, is ranked No. 1.

The Eagles stayed at No. 5 in the NJCAA Region 8 Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll.