#TCCBasketball: Eagle men fall to Pensacola State in finale

PENSACOLA, Fla. (February 23, 2019) – Elmo Cowart's basket with two seconds left lifted Pensacola State College to an 84-82 win over Region 8 No. 7 Tallahassee Community College in Saturday's season finale for both teams. 

Tallahassee watched an 11-point lead evaporate in the second half, in part to hitting six of 15 free throws in the final 20 minutes. 

With the game tied at 81 and 34.8 seconds remaining, Deven Palmer missed two free throws. On the second miss, things went from bad to worse when Richard Washington was whistled for a loose ball, giving the Pirates a chance to grab the lead at the charity stripe. Rafael Diaz made only one of two, however, and Pensacola State led 82-81. 

On Tallahassee's ensuing possession, Eric Boone drew a foul with 16 seconds left, but only made one of two to tie the game and give Pensacola State the final shot. Cowart converted for the lead and the Eagles' desperation heave at the buzzer was short. 

Palmer hit five three-pointers and finished with 23 points for Tallahassee. Salisu Yahaya recorded his second straight double-double – 14 points and 14 rebounds. Richard Washington had 12, Jalen Dalcourt, 11, and Mustafa Lawrence, 10. 

Tallahassee enjoyed as much as a 12-point lead in the first half and led 46-41 at the intermission on the strength of 10-for-19 shooting from long distance. 

The Eagles close the 2018-19 season with a record of 22-7 and 6-6 in Panhandle Conference play, good for third place.