#TCCBasketball: Eagle men pushed to the brink

MARIANNA, Fla. (February 13, 2019) – In a battle of nationally-ranked men's teams, No. 16 Chipola College defeated No. 25 Tallahassee Community College, 98-72, on Wednesday evening. 

The loss moves Tallahassee (21-6) to the brink of elimination from postseason contention. With just two games remaining, the Eagles are now 5-5 in Panhandle Conference play, 1.5 games back of the second-place Indians (6-3). 

Wednesday's game changed quickly in the closing minutes of the first half. Trailing 28-18, Mustafa Lawrence went to the line with a chance to trim Chipola's lead to single-digits. He missed both shots, however, and Chipola answered with nine unanswered points and closed on a 13-2 run to lead 41-20 at the intermission.

Less than five minutes into the second half, Chipola's lead had swelled to 39. Tallahassee outscored the Indians by 13 the rest of the way as both teams put up 50+ points in the second half. 

Chipola blistered the nets, connecting on 61.7 percent (37-of-60) of its field goal attempts. Keishawn Brewton led four players in double-figures with 19 points. 

Lawrence led all scorers with 22 points for Tallahassee. He hit 5-of-7 from long distance. 

Eric Boone added 18 and Richard Washington had 10. 

Tallahassee will have the weekend off before hosting Northwest Florida State College next Wednesday in its final home game of the season. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.