Men's Basketball shines at JUCO Shootout

The Eagles extended their winning streak to 11 games and improved to a 12-1 overall record after a solid showing at the 21st annual Florida JUCO Shootout. In their first game they defeated Indian River State 82-75. The two teams met twice last year, once in the season opener and once in the quarterfinals of the FCSAA DI State Tournament. TCC picked up the win in their first matchup, but it was the Pioneers who ended their season in Niceville in March. 

Against the Indian River State, Addison Patterson (G, Soph.) led the way in scoring by tallying 28 points along with four assists. Okechukwu Okeke (F/C, Soph.) recorded another his second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Eagles had five players in double figures: Addison Patterson, Okechukwu Okeke, Tom Mark (10), Isaiah Cathey (10), and, Malachi Davis (10). 

The Eagles trailed 38-33 at the half, but they came out firing after the break and outscored the Pioneers by 12 in the second half to secure a seven-point win, their 11th of the season. The team shot 47.6% from the field and converted 20 of their 21 free throw attempts. They forced 10 turnovers and had eight blocked shots. The loss was Indian River State's second of the season. 

On Sunday, TCC beat Eastern Florida State 90-69. The Eagles dominated the Titans from the opening tip. Malachi Davis led the way with 26 points, a career high. Patterson added 14. It was a balanced scoring effort by the Eagles, as everyone who played scored least once. The Eagles had four players in double figures. They were up by 17 at halftime 52-35. They kept dominating in the second half out scoring the Titan 38-34 in the second half. They shot 55.2% from the field and 60% from the charity stripe against the Titans.

The win marked just the second time under head coach Rick Cabrera that the Eagles score 90 or more points against a Region 8 opponent. The first came earlier this season when TCC beat Santa Fe 90-73. The Eagles are on the road again this Friday to take on Hillsborough and begin a stretch of four games in five days before the Christmas holiday. Next Monday's game against Daytona State, who is ranked second in the Region 8 Coaches' Poll, will be streamed live on ESPN+ as the NJCAA's ESPN+ Game of the Week.