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Raider Basketball Returns Home to Take on Pensacola
Posted: Feb 04, 2025

Raider Basketball Returns Home to Take on Pensacola

 

WOMEN

#2 Northwest Florida State (19-1, 3-1) vs. Pensacola State (16-8, 1-5)

February 5, 2025 | 5:15 p.m. CST | Niceville, FL

MEN

#15 Northwest Florida State (16-5, 2-2) vs. #13 Pensacola State (17-7, 5-1)

February 5, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. CST | Niceville, FL

 

Live Stream: https://tinyurl.com/yvdzky3m

 

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest Florida State men's and women's basketball return home Wednesday night for key conference matchups against Pensacola State.

It has been nearly a month since the Raiders last played on their home court, with their most recent home game dating back to January 11 against Tallahassee, which also marked the start of conference play.

Both teams are coming off road victories at Tallahassee State last week. The Lady Raiders secured a 62-49 win, fueled by Mekhia Chase's standout performance of 16 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, the men's team edged out the Eagles 82-79, thanks to Davion Hill's dominant showing—38 points and 12 rebounds—which earned him FCSAA Player of the Week honors.

Now, returning home for the first time in weeks, both squads aim to build momentum as conference play heats up. The last time these teams faced off was on January 18 in Pensacola, where the Lady Raiders dominated with a 76-53 victory. The men's team, however, fell 63-56, nearly overcoming a 17-point second-half deficit.

Currently, the Raider women's basketball team is ranked No. 2 in the nation and sits second in the Panhandle Conference behind Chipola. The men's team holds the No. 15 national ranking and is third in the conference, trailing first-place Pensacola and second-place Chipola.

 

FAST BREAKS (WOMEN)

  • Northwest Florida State women's basketball has reclaimed the No. 2 spot in the latest NJCAA poll. The Raiders held the No. 2 ranking for the first seven weeks of the season before briefly moving up to No. 1 in week eight. Following a loss to then-No. 6 Chipola, they dropped to No. 3 in the week nine poll but have now climbed back up. 
  • The Raiders are riding momentum after a 62-49 win over Tallahassee, while the Pirates are coming off a 61-44 loss to Chipola. Pensacola has struggled recently, losing five of its last six games and starting conference play at 1-5. 
  • Mekhia Chase (12.7 PPG), Nevaeh Scott (11.7 PPG), and Deborah Davenport (9.8 PPG) lead the Raiders in scoring. On the Pirates' side, Jaida McDonald (15.2 PPG), Audrionia Benson (11.3 PPG), and Katiya Casey (10.1 PPG) pace the offense. 
  • Chase is the team's most efficient shooter, connecting on 54.7% of her attempts, ranking 35th nationally. Scott has been a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, hitting 47.7% of her three-point attempts, which ranks 11th in the nation. 
  • The Raiders continue to prove they are one of the most well-rounded and disciplined teams in the country. They rank ninth in field goal percentage (45.9%), 23rd in three-point percentage (32.8%), 24th in assists per game (16.7), seventh in blocks per game (5.0), third in points allowed per game (44.6), and second in opponents' field goal percentage (29.5%). 
  • In their last matchup, Northwest Florida State dominated the Pirates in Pensacola, securing a convincing 76-53 victory. 

FAST BREAKS (MEN)

  • The Raiders climbed two spots to No. 15 in the NJCAA poll, trailing just behind No. 14 Chipola and No. 13 Pensacola State. 
  • They ended their two-game losing streak with a thrilling 82-79 victory over Tallahassee State, led by Davion Hill's dominant 38-point, 12-rebound performance, which earned him FCSAA Player of the Week honors. 
  • Offensively, the Raiders have shown balance, with three players averaging double figures—Davion Hill (14.4 PPG), Dwayne Pierce (11.2 PPG), and Josh Hayes (10.2 PPG)—while Curtis Williams (9.9 PPG), Braylon Roman (9.5 PPG), and Nathan Ojukwu (8.7 PPG) are also key contributors. 
  • Pensacola's scoring attack is led by Will Vasser (14.6 PPG), Dimitri Clerc (11.8 PPG), and Amarion Savage (10.2 PPG), all averaging in double figures. 
  • The Pirates have started strong in conference play with a 5-1 record, their only loss coming against Gulf Coast State. 
  • In their last meeting, Pensacola held off a second-half surge from the Raiders to secure a 63-56 win at home.