Pensacola State women down TCC

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 15, 2020) – Region 8 No. 8 Pensacola State College overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to knock off No. 10 Tallahassee Community College, 61-56, on Wednesday evening. 

Pensacola State (12-8, 1-2 Panhandle Conference) snapped a five-game losing streak while picking up its first league victory of the season. Tallahassee (9-8, 0-3) has now dropped four straight. 

The Eagles took a two-point lead to the fourth quarter and Rita James extended the margin to 45-41 with a basket on the first possession of the quarter. Pensacola State answered with an 11-3 run to grab a 52-48 lead with 3:26 left. 

Tallahassee pulled within two twice, the last on Sedayjha Payne's basket with 1:33 left. Although Payne couldn't complete the three-point play, the Eagles got the defensive stop, but James missed an open three on the ensuing possession and Pensacola State scored the next five points to seal the win. 

Tallahassee's injury-riddled roster suffered another blow when Ana Nikulochkina went down with an ankle injury just 14 minutes into the game, leaving the Eagles with just six players for the remainder of the game. Tallahassee ended the game with just four players after Kyra Smith fouled out with nine seconds remaining. 

Payne finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds for Tallahassee. Polina Nikulochkina tossed in 12. 

Pensacola State's ZaMaria Polk led all players with 18 points and 23 rebounds. 

After the teams played to a 12-12 tie through one quarter, Pensacola State took a 31-29 lead to the locker room. 

Tallahassee will travel to Gulf Coast State College on Saturday for a 3 p.m. tip against the Commodores.