Eagle men knock off Trinity Valley

PENSACOLA, Fla. (November 26, 2019) - DeAndre Gholston and Kailex Stephens recorded double-doubles for NJCAA No. 13/Region 8 No. 4 Tallahassee Community College in a 78-66 win over Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College on day two action at the Pirate Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Pensacola State College. 

Tallahassee will take a 9-1 record into Wednesday's 1 p.m. showdown with Odessa (Texas) College, who is coached by one-time Eagle assistant Kris "Bucket" Baumann (2004-05). The Wranglers defeated Northwest Florida State College, 80-51, on Tuesday. 

Gholston recorded game-highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds and Stephens had 10 points and 10 boards. Three other players scored in double-figures for the Eagles – El Ellis had 15, Rifen Miguel scored 13 and Tariq Silver, 11. 

Tallahassee virtually led wire to wire, trailing only once in the first half. The Cardinals only managed to tie the game two times. By the half, the Eagles led 38-32 then gradually pulled away over the final 20 minutes. 

Another strong second half buoyed the effort. Tallahassee shot 48.1 percent (13-of-27) from the floor after the intermission while limiting Trinity Valley to 33.3 percent (12-of-36) and just 2-of-13 (15.4 percent) on threes. 

The Eagles led by as many as 18 late in the second half.