Photo courtesy of Michael Schwarz
Photo courtesy of Michael Schwarz

NWF State too much for Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 29, 2020) – Tallahassee Community College's women's basketball team dropped a 66-53 decision to Northwest Florida State College on Wednesday evening at the Bill Hebrock Eagledome. 

The loss evened the Eagles' record at 10-10, 1-5 in Panhandle Conference play. Northwest Florida State improved to 19-4 overall (4-3 PC). 

Coming off an upset of NJCAA No. 2 Chipola College on Saturday, the Eagles were gunning for another nationally-ranked opponent but the No. 10 Raiders limited Tallahassee to just 31.0 percent (18-of-58) shooting for the game and 6-of-28 in the second half. 

Northwest Florida State led 20-13 after the first quarter and opened up 10-point leads of 26-16 and 28-18 before the Eagles made a run. 

Sedayjha Payne hit three consecutive baskets and Ana Nikulochkina capped a 13-2 run with a three at the 2:56 mark to put the Eagles in front, 31-30. The Raiders answered with five straight points and never trailed again. 

Northwest Florida State led 35-31 at the break and outscored Tallahassee in the third, 18-9, to take control. 

Nikulochkina finished with 15 for Tallahassee. Her sister, Polina, led the Eagles with 17. Payne had a double-double, 10 points and 10 rebounds. 

Tallahassee will travel to Pensacola State College for a 6:30 p.m. tilt on Saturday.