NWF to Host Second Raider Classic, Welcoming Pensacola State, Southern Union and #3 Daytona State
Posted: Nov 07, 2024

NWF to Host Second Raider Classic, Welcoming Pensacola State, Southern Union and #3 Daytona State

 

NICEVILLE, Fla. – For the second consecutive weekend, Raider Arena will host another Raider Classic, bringing in six new teams—three men's teams and three women's teams—for a total of eight games on Friday and Saturday.

On the men's side, Pensacola State, Southern Union, and #3 Daytona State will compete, with Northwest Florida taking on Southern Union on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and #3 Daytona State on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

This week will be the final pair of home games for nearly a month as the Raiders are set to go on a five-game road test which will see them play games in New Rochelle, NY, Mobile, Ala. and Pensacola, Fla.

 

FAST BREAKS

  • Northwest Florida State kicked off their season with two strong victories, defeating Copiah-Lincoln 74-64 and South Georgia Tech 102-54, bringing their record to 2-0.
  • Sophomore transfer Josh Hayes was a standout performer over the weekend, scoring in double digits in both games. He averaged 14.5 points, along with 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks.
  • Three other Raiders are also averaging double figures to start the season: Curtis Williams (13.0), Braylon Roman (12.5), and Davion Hill (11.5).
  • The Raiders face a challenging week as they prepare to take on Southern Union, who stands at 2-1 with recent wins over Copiah-Lincoln and South Georgia Tech, and #3 Daytona State, who is 1-1 after winning their opener against Community Christian and falling to #12 Southern Idaho.

 

THIS WEEKS SCHEDULE (Nov. 3-9)

 

Friday, November 8, 2024 | 1:00 PM | Women's Basketball

#24 Pensacola State vs. #11 Southern Idaho

Friday, November 8, 2024 | 3:00 PM | Men's Basketball

#3 Daytona State vs. Pensacola State

Friday, November 8, 2024 | 5:00 PM | Women's Basketball

#2 Northwest Florida vs. Santa Fe

Friday, November 8, 2024 | 7:00 PM | Men's Basketball

#6 Northwest Florida vs. Southern Union

Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 1:00 PM | Women's Basketball

#24 Pensacola State vs. Santa Fe

Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 3:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Pensacola State vs. Southern Union

Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 5:00 PM | Women's Basketball

#2 Northwest Florida vs. #11 Southern Idaho

Friday, November 8, 2024 | 7:00 PM | Men's Basketball

#6 Northwest Florida vs. #3 Daytona State

 

RETURNING FOR THE RAIDERS

  • Steve DeMeo returns for his ninth season at Northwest Florida, marking his third year in his second stint with the Raiders.
  • The Raiders head into the 2024-25 season with an entirely new roster, as no players from last season's lineup will be returning. The only returning players, Tyrese-Melo Garcia and Gabriel Martinez, both redshirted last season.
  • The team welcomes several NCAA Division I transfers aiming to make an immediate impact, including Davion Hill (Missouri State), Logan Bourgeois (East Carolina), Curtis Williams (Pepperdine), Josh Hayes (Appalachian State), Nathan Ojukwu (Illinois-Chicago), and Dwayne Pierce (Iowa State).

 

RANKING THE RAIDERS

  • Both the Raider men's and women's teams start the season ranked in the top ten of the NJCAA Preseason Poll and in the top five in the FCSAA Coaches' Poll.
  • The Raider men begin the season ranked sixth in the national preseason rankings and are second in the FCSAA Coaches' Poll, behind Daytona State, who is ranked third nationally.