TCC Athletics

Nikulochkina scores 29 in win over FSCJ

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (November 9, 2019) – Freshman Polina Nikulochkina scored a game-high 29 points and Tallahassee Community College's women's basketball team hit the century mark in a 101-63 victory over Florida State College at Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon. 

Tallahassee is now 2-1 on the season. 

With Rushell Jacob sidelined for the second straight game due to an injury, head coach Matt Huddleston again relied on an all-freshmen lineup, and the "Baby Eagles" continued to show promise, delivering their best all-around effort of the young season.

In addition to Nikulochkina, who added six rebounds, four assists and five steals in her breakout performance, Sedayjha Payne hit 10-of-11 shots from the field to finish with 21 points. She also had five steals. 

Keisy Villanueva just missed a third consecutive double-double, finishing with 15 points and eight rebounds. Rita James tossed in 11, and Olivia Eller had eight points, four rebounds and five assists. 

After the teams played to a 17-17 tie through ten minutes, Tallahassee used an old formula to all but put the game away – a demoralizing 27-2 run to open the second quarter en route to a 46-22 halftime lead. 

The five points allowed in the second marked the first single-digit quarter for the Eagles' defense this season. 

A 32-point third quarter extended Tallahassee's lead to 78-42, and James pushed the Eagles' past the century mark with a three-pointer in the final minute. 

Tallahassee will travel to Santa Fe College on Tuesday for a 5:30 p.m. date with the Saints.