Eagles host Gulf Coast State on Saturday

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 9, 2015) – Panhandle Conference play returns to the Bill Hebrock Eagledome Saturday evening when Tallahassee Community College hosts Gulf Coast State College. 

The doubleheader tips off at 5:30 p.m. with a battle of nationally-ranked women's teams – NJCAA No. 11 Tallahassee and No. 13 Gulf Coast State – and concludes at 7:30 p.m. when the FCSAA No. 4 Eagles host the No. 6 Commodores. 

Both games can be seen online, courtesy of Panhandle Sports Broadcasting, at www.PSBlive.com. 

Women's Preview 

• Records: Tallahassee (17-3, 2-0 PC), Gulf Coast State (13-3, 0-1)
• Rankings: Tallahassee (NJCAA No. 11/FCSAA No. 2), Gulf Coast State (NJCAA No. 13, FCSAA No. 4)
• Series history: Gulf Coast State leads 50-7 (Gulf Coast State leads 25-2 in Tallahassee)

 Four PC teams are currently in the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Poll and all are ranked 13^th or higher. Three PC teams will qualify for March's NJCAA Region 8/FCSAA State Basketball Tournament, and those who punch their ticket to Ocala for the eight-team tournament should be in the mix for an at-large berth to the NJCAA Tournament, provided they don't earn the region's automatic bid. 

With that said, each PC game could be considered "must win," and Saturday is another opportunity for Tallahassee to enhance a resume that already includes wins over No. 5 Northwest Florida State College and No. 14 Walters (Tenn.) State Community College. 

The Eagles picked up a convincing 92-56 win at Pensacola State College on Wednesday to improve to 17-3 and their first 2-0 start in league play since 2006. 

Tallahassee hasn't enjoyed a 3-0 start in league play since 1997 when it went on to claim its first and only conference championship. Getting there won't be easy – the Eagles have only seven wins in 57 all-time meetings against the Commodores. 

Men's Preview 

• Records: Tallahassee (15-4, 1-1 PC), Gulf Coast State (13-5, 0-1)
• Rankings: Tallahassee (FCSAA No. 4), Gulf Coast State (FCSAA No. 6)
• Series history: Tallahassee leads 51-19 (Tallahassee leads 27-6 in Tallahassee) 

Tallahassee avoided a fourth straight 0-2 Panhandle start with a 71-55 win at Pensacola State on Wednesday evening. Now, the Eagles can put Gulf Coast State in an 0-2 hole after the Commodores dropped their PC opener to Chipola College two nights ago. 

The Eagles knocked off Pensacola State minus two starters – forwards Norbertas Giga and Cameron Smith. Both players are expected to be activated for Saturday's game. 

Elmo Stephen was the standout in the Pensacola State victory. The Auburndale, Fla., native poured in 33 points, his second 30-point outing of the season, on 10-of-17 shooting (7-of-10 three-pointers) from the floor. 

Tallahassee is 51-19 all-time against Gulf Coast State, including a 27-6 mark at home. 

The Eagles will conclude the first round of league play on Tuesday at Chipola.