Pensacola State comes to town for crucial PC hoops doubleheader

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 23, 2015) – The halfway point of the 2015 Panhandle Conference basketball schedule arrives on Saturday when Pensacola State College visits the Bill Hebrock Eagledome for a doubleheader against host Tallahassee Community College. And with it, a sense of urgency, primarily in the 7:30 p.m. men's game. 

The FCSAA No. 5 Eagles (16-6) have alternated losses and wins through their first five league contests, hence a 2-3 PC mark. No. 10 Pensacola State, on the other hand, is winners of two straight and 3-2 in conference play, one game ahead of the Eagles. 

Both teams finished the first round of PC play at 2-2. On Wednesday, Tallahassee dropped a hard-fought 76-70 decision at first place Northwest Florida State College (5-0) while Pensacola State picked up a 50-42 win at home over last place Chipola College (1-4). 

Gulf Coast State College, who was idle on Wednesday, sits one half game behind Tallahassee (1-3). 

Tallahassee won the teams' first meeting, a 71-55 decision in Pensacola on January 7, and while a win would clinch the season series with the Pirates, it would also pull the Eagles even in the Panhandle Conference standings. A loss and Tallahassee will be staring at a two-game deficit with only six games remaining. 

The Eagles have yet to play a league game at full strength and Saturday may not offer any relief to the dubious streak. Starting forward Cameron Smith, who hasn't played since the PC opener January 3, is still nursing a hamstring injury and is doubtful for Saturday's game. He and center Norbertas Giga missed the teams' January 7 meeting. 

In the 5:30 p.m. women's game, NJCAA No. 12/FCSAA No. 3 Tallahassee (18-5, 3-2 PC) will look to snap a two-game losing streak against a Pirate (0-5) squad still in search of its first conference victory.   

Since a 3-0 start in PC play, Tallahassee has dropped games to then-NJCAA No. 1 Chipola (64-58) and No. 5 Northwest Florida State (72-52), to fall back into sole possession of third place in the league standings. 

The Eagles were 92-56 winners over Pensacola State on January 7. 

Both of Saturday's games will be streamed online courtesy of Panhandle Sports Broadcasting at www.psblive.com.