Work Hard, Play Hard: Eagle Women play their hearts out, take tough loss to No. 5 Chipola

By Brenden Martin
TCC Sports Information
@brendenmartin28

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 14, 2014) - The Tallahassee Community College women lost a hard-fought game to arch-rival Chipola College, 54-42, on Tuesday evening in Panhandle Conference basketball action.

Tallahassee (10-11, 1-3 PC) came into Tuesday's game ranked No. 7 in the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll and determined to rebound from its loss to Gulf Coast State College on Saturday evening.

The Eagle women were looking for their second win in conference play against a Chipola (19-1, 3-0) team who was out to remain unbeaten in the Panhandle Conference, and continue their impressive season. Chipola is ranked No. 1 in the FCSAA and No. 5 in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Women's Top 25 National Poll.

Tuesday was a very physical game, filled with passion and emotion from both teams. The upset-minded Eagles hung tough and kept the game close, especially in the first half. The first 20 minutes was relatively low scoring thanks to scrappy defense on both sides.

Chipola only held a two-point lead heading into the break 25-23. Addesha Collins and Benedicta Makakala were the two leading scorers for the Eagles at halftime. Collins had seven points while Makakala had six.

Chipola was able to gain some separation as the second half began. The Indians got the shots to fall and eventually outran the Eagles. Foul trouble and turnovers also began to mount for Tallahassee during the second 20 minutes.

The Indians jumped out to a ten-point lead midway through the second half and kept the deficit near double-digits the rest of the way.

The Eagles gave a valiant effort and fought hard, but unfortunately it was not enough to slow down Chipola's offense in what ended as a 12-point defeat.

Collins finished with eleven points and led the team in scoring. Aariel Allen had ten points and grabbed six boards. Jasmine Queen also played a significant factor on the glass as well, she finished with eight rebounds.

The Tallahassee women now drop below .500 overall and are 1-3 in the Panhandle. They will have a week to make adjustments in practice as they await Northwest Florida State College on January 21. It will be their last home game before hitting the road later in the week. Tip-off for next Tuesday's game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. eastern.