Eagles ride Guinnie’s career night to first PC win

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 7, 2014) – Sophomore guard Tyeshia Guinnie came off the bench to score 33 points for FCSAA No. 7 Tallahassee Community College in the Eagles' 91-80 win over No. 9 Pensacola State College on Tuesday evening at the Bill Hebrock Eagledome. 

The win evened the Eagles' Panhandle Conference record at 1-1 and improved Tallahassee to 10-9 overall. The Pirates have a matching 10-9 record and are now 0-2 in league play. 

Guinnie, who established a career-high in points for the second time in three games, knocked down 10-of-21 shots, including 6-of-10 three-pointers. 

"I'm feeling very confident right now," said Guinnie. "I set a goal for myself each game and challenge myself – if I go out and give it my all, I feel like we should come out with a victory." 

Guinnie was one of five players to score in double-figures for Tallahassee, who enjoyed its best scoring output since a 102-point effort against North Florida Community College on February 8, 2006. More relevant to the current makeup of the conference, the 91 points was the Eagles' most against one of the five current PC schools since scoring 100 against Chipola College on February 5, 2000. 

Addesha Collins added 22 for Tallahassee. Marija Pacar and Teleshia Riley scored 11 points each and Jasmine Queen added 10 on a perfect night from the floor – 2-for-2 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free throw line. 

Both teams played at a furious pace in the first half, one that ended with Tallahassee in front, 52-45. 

The game featured 15 lead changes and 11 ties, the last coming at 78 following a pair of free throws by Benedicta Makakala with 3:58 left in the game to start a game-ending 13-2 run by the Eagles. 

Leading 81-80, Pacar knocked down, arguably, the biggest shot of the game, a three-pointer that gave Tallahassee a four-point lead with 1:24 remaining. From there, the Eagles hit seven of eight shots from the free throw line to ice the game. 

Free throws played a huge role in the win for Tallahassee, who connected on 30-of-35 from the charity stripe. Pensacola State, meanwhile, made only 13-of-23. 

The Pirates were led in scoring by Mariah Jordan with 20. 

Tallahassee will return to play on Saturday with a trip to top-ranked Gulf Coast State College. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. eastern.