Photo courtesy of Michael Schwarz
Photo courtesy of Michael Schwarz

#TCCBasketball: Eagle women fall to Chipola

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 26, 2019) – NJCAA No. 9/Region 8 No. 3 Chipola College outscored No. 10/No. 4 Tallahassee Community College, 27-9, in the fourth quarter to pull away for an 82-63 win in women's basketball action on Saturday evening. 

Entering play on Saturday, Tallahassee (20-4, 3-3) knew there was a possibility to move into second place in the Panhandle Conference standings with a win. Instead, the loss, coupled with Gulf Coast State College's upset of first-place Northwest Florida State College, dropped the Eagles two games back in the loss column of both Gulf Coast State and Chipola with six games remaining. 

Chipola led 23-14 through one quarter and maintained its nine-point lead at the half, 43-34. The third quarter belonged to Tallahassee, however, as the Eagles outscored the Indians, 20-12 to grab the momentum and pull within a point, 55-54, entering the fourth. 

The promise of a third straight PC victory never materialized in the final quarter. Tallahassee scored just three points over the first eight minutes and Chipola led by as many as 20 inside the final minute of the game. 

Three-point shooting was the difference on Saturday. Tallahassee made only three of its 11 attempts while Chipola shot 15-of-27, just under 56 percent, for the game. Two players, in particular, enjoyed big nights. 

Dekeriya Patterson hit nine three-pointers and was 8-for-8 from the free throw line to finish with 35 points. Shaela Gardner hit 4-of-5 attempts from long distance and had 12 points. 

Tallahassee was led by Daisha Bradford's 20 points. Tameria Johnson added 13 and Juliunn Redmond, 12. 

The Eagles will return to action on Saturday, February 2 when they host Pensacola State College at 3 p.m.