Eagles win OT thriller in regular season finale, await potential at-large bid to the State tournament

TALLAHASSEE, FL (February 19^th, 2022) – An 85-77 overtime win at home over Gulf Coast State on Sophomore Night capped off a 21-9 regular season for the Eagles, moving them into third place in the Panhandle Conference. Now they wait and see if it was enough to earn an at-large bid to the FCSAA Tournament next month in Niceville, FL. 

Before the game, Tallahassee's sophomores were honored for their contributions to the team, including Mandela Baledrokadroka and Chris Hampton, who were members of the 2021 Panhandle Conference Championship team. 

Saturday night's game was the third matchup between Tallahassee and Gulf Coast State, with the teams splitting the first two games. The Eagles led by as many as 21 in the first half, but Gulf Coast State trimmed that deficit to 13 going into the break. Tallahassee scored 47 points in the first half, their highest first half point total since December 6^th, when they put up 48 at home against Bishop State Community College. 

The Commodores stormed all the way back in the second half to tie the game at 72 points, forcing overtime. 

The game was tied with 1:38 left in the overtime period, but the Eagles started a big run that ultimately ended the game when Williams was fouled in the paint on a putback attempt. He converted both of his free throws, and on Gulf Coast State's next possession, Michael Isler recorded his second steal of the game and increased the lead to four with a thunderous dunk at the other end. With 38 seconds left, Byron Smith hit a corner three to increase the lead to eight, putting the game out of reach. 

Chris Hampton, in his 32^nd and final game in the Eagle Dome, scored five points in the victory and dribbled out the clock to end the game. Dericko Williams was the leading scorer for the Eagles with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Isiah Kirby ended the night with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals.

But Saturday's top performer may have been Michael Isler, who finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. Isler played incredibly hard on both ends, forcing turnovers, and leading the Eagles in transition. 

The FCSAA Tournament field is expected to be announced on Thursday and will begin on Wednesday, March 2nd on the Northwest Florida State College campus in Niceville, FL. The Eagles, who were ranked eighth in the most recent NJCAA Region 8 Coaches' Poll, are the only team in the state of Florida with wins against the top three teams in the state: Indian River State, Chipola, and Northwest Florida State. Those teams are also all ranked nationally, with Indian River State currently the number two ranked team in the country.