TCC survives battle with Pirates

PENSACOLA, Fla. (February 1, 2020) – Tallahassee Community College's men's basketball team survived a would-be game-winning shot at the buzzer by Pensacola State College and defeated the Pirates, 67-66, on Saturday evening in a crucial Panhandle Conference tilt. 

Tallahassee improved to 21-4 on the season and 5-2 in PC play. 

Pensacola State went scoreless for the final 2:48 and Tallahassee was working on a more than two-minute scoring drought when it got the ball with under 30 seconds left and trailing 66-65. With the clock winding down, Rifen Miguel drew a foul with 11.3 seconds left and stepped to the line for two shots. 

He hit the first to tie the game then, after a Pensacola State timeout, dropped in the second to put the Eagles in front. 

Tallahassee finished 15-of-17 at the free throw line, compared to just 5-of-6 for the Pirates. 

Still, it was the Pirates who had the final shot and the opportunity to win the game, and Elmo Cowart had a good look from just inside the top of the key. His shot, however, hit the front of the rim and bounced off as the final horn sounded. 

El Ellis led the Eagles with 18 points. Tariq Silver had 16 and Eric Hester, 15. 

The Eagles took the court already aware of Gulf Coast State College's win over Chipola College earlier in the day, meaning it had to win to keep pace with the Commodores (6-1 PC) and set up a battle for first-place in the league standings when the teams meet on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, a win would've given Pensacola State (14-10, 3-4) a share of second place with the Eagles. Instead, the Pirates sit in fourth place, one-half game behind Chipola (4-4). 

Early on, it appeared the latter scenario was unfolding. A 12-2 run ended with the Pirates in front, 25-12, with 11:30 remaining in the first half. Within seven minutes, the lead was gone – Ellis' three tied the game at 31 at the 4:28 mark – although the Eagles eventually trailed, 37-33, at the half. 

Tallahassee took its first lead of the game, 44-41, on Hester's three with 14:07 remaining. 

Wednesday's game with Gulf Coast State is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.