Allen’s double-double not enough as Eagles lose nail-biter to Pensacola State

By Brenden Martin
TCC Sports Information
@brendenmartin28

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (February 11, 2014) - The Tallahassee Community College women could not convert on a last-second three-point attempt and they lost a close game to Pensacola State College 47-46 in Tuesday's exciting and physical Panhandle Conference matchup. 

Tallahassee (12-15, 3-7 PC) came in to Tuesday evening's game against Pensacola State ranked No. 8 in the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll. Pensacola State (11-16, 1-9 PC) is right behind the Eagles in the FCSAA, ranked No. 9. 

The Eagle women were looking forward to playing at home again after losing two straight on the road against the top two teams in the FCSAA, No. 1 Chipola College and No. 2 Northwest Florida State College. 

The two teams were mirror images of each other in a low-scoring first half. Both teams shot below 30 percent in the first 20 minutes. The nearly identical rebounding totals and fouls at halftime gave a strong indication that this game was going to go down to the wire. 

Tallahassee's Teleshia Riley was the game's leading scorer at the break with eight. Aariel Allen helped the Eagles in the rebounding category, pulling down six boards in the first half. 

Tallahassee had the lead at halftime 21-19. 

Tallahassee built a 42-31 lead at the 10:34 mark of the second half following a three-pointer by Jasmine Queen, but the Eagles managed only four points the rest of the way. 

The second half intensified in physicality and in drama when Tallahassee's Marija Pacar fouled out on a charging call with less than four minutes to play. 

With 11.1 seconds left on the clock, the Eagles were inbounding the ball with a one-point lead after Pensacola State missed two free throws. If the inbound was successful, Tallahassee could hang onto the ball and draw a foul. 

The plan backfired as Pensacola State got a hand on the pass and grabbed the ball. The Eagles fouled Kristen Dickerson, who hit two-of-two from the line and gave the Pirates a one-point lead. 

Off of the ensuing timeout, Tallahassee had 8.1 seconds to get a shot off but unfortunately it was not the one the team had hoped for, as a last second three-pointer fell short of the rim as the buzzer sounded. 

Allen continued her dominance on the glass in the second half and carried the Eagles on her back down the stretch. She finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds. 

Pensacola State earned its first Panhandle Conference win on Tuesday. However, Tallahassee took the season series against the Pirates 2-1. 

The Eagles' last road game of the season will be on Saturday, February 15 when they travel to Panama City to take on Gulf Coast State College. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. eastern.