Eagle women reach 3-0 in PC play for first time since ‘97

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 10, 2015) – NJCAA No. 11/FCSAA No. 2 Tallahassee Community College picked up its seventh straight win on Saturday evening, defeating No. 13/No. 4 Gulf Coast State College 82-63 in Panhandle Conference women's basketball action. 

Tallahassee is 3-0 in PC play for the first time since 1997 and heads into Tuesday's showdown at No. 1 Chipola College with an 18-3 overall record. 

Cat Wells, tonight's TCC Eagle of the Game, continued her strong play, scoring a career-high 30 points to lead four players in double-figures for Tallahassee. Eboni Watts and Benedicta Makakala scored 12 each and Jeremica Edwards added 10. 

The Eagles used an attacking full-court defense to force 25 Gulf Coast State turnovers, which it promptly converted into a 26-11 advantage in points off turnovers. 

The momentum swung in the final seven minutes of the first half. 

After a Rochelle Vasquez basket gave the Commodores a 27-26 lead, Makakala knocked down a three-pointer to put the Eagles in front 29-27 with 6:53 remaining in the half. The Eagles never trailed again and pushed the lead to double digits by the intermission. 

Karley Barnes knocked down a pair of free throws with 12 seconds remaining and Tallahassee went to the locker room with a 47-36 lead. 

Gulf Coast State was within 11 (60-49) entering the final ten minutes of the game but a three-pointer by Wells began a decisive 14-3 run, capped by Edwards' bucket at the 5:47 mark. 

The Eagles led by as many as 27 before Gulf Coast State scored the final eight points of the game. 

Gibson led Gulf Coast State with 20 points and 14 rebounds. 

Tallahassee and Chipola will tip off at 6:30 p.m. eastern on Tuesday.