Eagle women beat FSCJ in OT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (January 27, 2021) – Ana Nikulochkina's go-ahead bucket with 7.1 seconds left in overtime gave Tallahassee Community College's women's basketball team a 78-77 win over Florida State College at Jacksonville on Wednesday evening. 

With the win, Tallahassee evened its record at 1-1. 

The Eagles took a 76-74 lead into the final minute of overtime, only to put FSCJ on the free throw line on consecutive possessions. The Blue Wave hit one of two on their first trip then, after a defensive spot, Ameera Thomas knocked down both shots to give the hosts a one-point lead with 13.5 seconds remaining. 

Following a timeout to advance the ball into the frontcourt, Nikulochkina took the inbounds pass from Olivia Eller, dribbled to her right and put a driving runner off the glass for what proved to be the game-winner. 

Nikulochkina finished with 19 while her twin sister, Polina, led the Eagles with 23 points. Rita James also finished in double-figures with 11. 

Tallahassee led 22-17 after one but an 18-11 advantage for FSCJ in the second put the Blue Wave in front, 35-33, at the intermission. 

A back-and-forth affair ensued in the second half, which ended with a 67-all tie after Tallahassee failed to connect on a pair of potential game-winners in the closing seconds. 

Saturday's final non-conference game against St. Petersburg College has been cancelled, which means the Eagles are currently scheduled to return to action Saturday, February 6 against Gulf Coast State College in the Panhandle Conference opener.