Tested Eagles open PC play at Northwest Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 4, 2014) – Twelve Panhandle Conference games. As it does each and every year, that will define the season for Tallahassee Community College's men's and women's basketball teams. 

And for the Eagles, the march through the Panhandle and to a potential postseason berth begins Saturday at Northwest Florida State College. 

The doubleheader begins with women's action at 6:30 p.m. eastern and continues with the men's game at 8:30 p.m. Both games will be carried online by Panhandle Sports Broadcasting at www.PSBlive.com. 

As tough as the Panhandle slate is – and Northwest Florida State is ranked nationally in both the men's and women's polls – Tallahassee's squads will take the floor on Saturday knowing they have fully prepared for the moment. 

The Tallahassee women, ranked No. 7 in the FCSAA Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll, sport a 9-8 record against the nation's sixth-toughest schedule according to Massey Ratings. The Eagles have played six games against teams currently ranked in the NJCAA poll, and all but one of their 17 games to date has come against a team who qualified for the 2013 postseason. 

Saturday's game, however, will arguably be their toughest challenge of the season. The Raiders (13-2) are ranked No. 5 in the FCSAA and No. 18 by the NJCAA and return a strong nucleus from a team that advanced to last season's NJCAA Quarterfinals. 

Meanwhile, Saturday's men's game will be an FCSAA top five affair between No. 4 Tallahassee (11-5) and No. 2 Northwest Florida State (15-1), who is also ranked No. 4 nationally. Like their female counterparts, the Eagle men played a rigorous non-conference schedule, culminating with games earlier this week against NJCAA power East Mississippi Community College and Gadsden State (Ala.) Community College. 

For all Panhandle teams, both men and women, postseason aspirations, including a potential at-large berth to the NJCAA Tournament, are on the line each night. As it does each year, the Panhandle will receive two berths to the NJCAA Region 8 men's tournament, and 2014 marks the league's turn at receiving two bids to the women's tournament as well.

Saturday's other Panhandle Conference matchup will pit Chipola College at Pensacola State College.

Tallahassee women at Northwest Florida State

Tip-off: 6:30 p.m.
Coverage: Panhandle Sports Broadcasting (PSBlive.com)
Records: Tallahassee (9-8, 0-0 PC), Northwest Florida State (13-2, 0-0)
Rankings: Tallahassee (FCSAA No. 7/NJCAA NR), Northwest Florida State (No. 5/No. 18)
Series history: Northwest Florida State leads, 43-18
In games played at Northwest Florida State: Northwest Florida State leads, 22-6
Current streak: 10 by Northwest Florida State

Tallahassee men at Northwest Florida State

Tip-off: 8:30 p.m.
Coverage: Panhandle Sports Broadcasting (PSBlive.com)
Records: Tallahassee (11-5, 0-0 PC), Northwest Florida State (15-1, 0-0)
Rankings: Tallahassee (FCSAA No. 4/NJCAA NR), Northwest Florida State (No. 2/No. 4)
Series history: Tallahassee leads, 36-31
In games played at Northwest Florida State: Northwest Florida State leads, 19-14
Current streak: 6 by Northwest Florida State