Eagles even the score against Central Florida

PENSACOLA, Fla. (December 13, 2019) – Tallahassee Community College's women's basketball team picked up its eighth win of the season on Friday, defeating the College of Central Florida, 73-65, on day one action at the Pensacola State College Classic. 

After suffering a four-point loss at home to the Patriots on November 21, the Eagles got a small measure of revenge on Friday, improving to 8-4 with the victory. The win was bittersweet, however. On December 2, Central Florida announced it will drop men's and women's basketball and volleyball following the 2019-20 season, meaning today was the last scheduled game between the longtime rivals, who first played one another on November 12, 1995. 

Tallahassee has won 22 of the 38 all-time meetings against Central Florida. 

The Eagles jumped out to a fast start on Friday, holding the Patriots to single-digits in the first quarter en route to an 18-7 lead. The second quarter was all Central Florida, as it outscored Tallahassee, 24-14, to pull within a point, 32-21, at the half. 

Freshman guard Polina Nikulochkina scored 14 of her game-high 19 points in the third quarter as Tallahassee extended its lead to 53-49 heading to the fourth. 

Three players joined Nikulochkina in double-figures, led by Kyra Smith with 17 points. Rita James and Olivia Eller finished with 11 points each. 

Returning from a preseason injury, Nikulochkina's twin sister, Ana, made her season debut and scored four points, all in the fourth quarter when the Eagles outscored Central Florida, 20-16. 

Tallahassee will play its final game before the holiday break at 1 p.m. Saturday when takes on Bossier Parish (La.) Community College.