Walters State fends off Eagles' upset bid

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (November 27, 2013) - A decisive 9-0 run in the closing minutes was enough to propel NJCAA No. 11 Walters State (Tenn.) Community College past FCSAA No. 6 Tallahassee Community College, 62-56, on day two of theTallahassee Democrat Thanksgiving Classic. 

Daytona State College defeated Gadsden State (Ala.) Community College, 78-69, in women's action to start the day. Southwest Tennessee Community College scored a 98-78 win over Jefferson Davis (Ala.) Community College in men's action in Wednesday's second game. 

Tallahassee carried a 41-38 lead into the game's final ten minutes before a series of runs ensued. 

Walters State scored the next nine points, on three consecutive three-point plays, to grab a 47-41 lead. Tallahassee answered with a 6-0 run, capped by a Jasmine Queen basket, to knot the game at 47-all with 6:41 left.

The next and most critical run of the night belonged to the Senators. Arjae Saunders started things with a free throw and finished the 9-0 run with a basket to give Walters State a 56-47 lead with less than three minutes remaining. 

Still, Tallahassee wasn't finished, and when Aariel Allen drained a three-pointer from the top of the key, it trimmed the Eagles' deficit to just two points (58-56) with 30 seconds remaining. 

Walters State scored on its ensuing possession and turned away the Eagles' final shot attempt before knocking down two free throws to finish the scoring. 

Four Eagles scored in double-figures, led by Marija Pacar with 14. Queen added 11, as did Allen, who also pulled down 13 rebounds. Addesha Collins scored 10.

Saunders paced Walters State (10-0) with 17 points. Monashia Bolduc added 13.

After falling to Gadsden State in Tuesday's Classic opener, Tallahassee went toe to toe with the nationally-ranked Senators on Wednesday. 

The Eagles opened up a 20-12 lead at the six-minute mark before Walters State closed the half on a 14-4 run for a 26-24 lead at the intermission. 

Tallahassee, now 5-4 on the season, returns to action on Tuesday when it travels to Florida State College at Jacksonville. 

Following the games on Tuesday and Wednesday, fans are invited to attend the Postgame Party with the Eagles served by Applebee's. This week's postgame party will take place at Applebee's located at 1388 Capital Circle NW. Fans who bring a game program to the store will receive 10% off any full-price menu item. Applebee's will also be offering half-price appetizers after 10 p.m. both days.

Tallahassee Community College Athletics would like to thank theLeon County Tourist Development Council and Chick-fil-A West Tennessee Street for serving as participating sponsors for the Tallahassee Democrat Thanksgiving Classic.