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Raider Basketball Heads to Panama City for Key Conference Matchups
Posted: Feb 07, 2025

Raider Basketball Heads to Panama City for Key Conference Matchups

 

WOMEN

#2 Northwest Florida State (20-1, 4-1) vs. #8 Gulf Coast State (18-2, 4-1)

February 8, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. CST | Panama City, FL

MEN

#15 Northwest Florida State (17-5, 3-2) vs. Gulf Coast State (16-7, 2-3)

February 8, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. CST | Panama City, FL

 

Live Stream: https://www.commodoreproductions.com/live/

  

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest Florida State men's and women's basketball teams hit the road Saturday for crucial conference matchups against Gulf Coast State in Panama City.

 

Both teams enter the game with momentum after wins over Pensacola State on Wednesday. The women held off a second-half comeback to secure a 58-56 victory, led by Mekhia Chase's standout performance of 22 points and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, the men avenged an early-season loss to Pensacola, taking down the Pirates 77-67 with all five starters scoring in double figures.

This weekend's matchup presents another opportunity for both teams to strengthen their positions in the conference race. The women's team currently sits in a three-way tie for first in the Panhandle alongside #3 Chipola and #8 Gulf Coast. The men's team is tied for second with #14 Chipola.

Gulf Coast State's women's team enters the game ranked 8th nationally with an 18-2 record and a 4-1 mark in conference play, with their only two losses coming against #15 Florida Southwestern and #3 Chipola. The men's squad stands at 16-7 overall and 2-3 in conference play, with wins over #13 Pensacola State and Tallahassee.

Saturday's games will be pivotal in shaping the conference standings as the season nears its final stretch. The women aim to maintain their spot in both the conference and national rankings, while the men look to climb into the top two and secure a place in the FCSAA State Tournament next month. 

 

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. 
  • Mekhia Chase (13.3 PPG), Nevaeh Scott (10.7 PPG), Deborah Davenport (9.6 PPG), and Kyla McBride (9.0 PPG) lead the Raiders in scoring. Chase has been on fire since the start of conference play, averaging 15.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in five conference games. McBride has also been on a tear, averaging 13.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in panhandle play.
  • Chase is the team's most efficient shooter, connecting on 54.8% of her attempts, ranking 29th nationally. Scott has been a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, hitting 47.1% of her three-point attempts, which ranks 10th in the nation. 
  • The Raiders continue to prove they are one of the most well-rounded and disciplined teams in the country. They rank 10th in field goal percentage (45.8%), 26rd in three-point percentage (32.4%), 25th in assists per game (16.5), seventh in blocks per game (5.0), third in points allowed per game (45.2), and fourth in opponents' field goal percentage (30.3%).

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. 
  • Offensively, the Raiders have shown balance, with four players averaging double figures—Davion Hill (14.4 PPG), Dwayne Pierce (11.0 PPG), and Josh Hayes (10.3 PPG, Curtis Williams (10.0 PPG).
  • Davion Hill has been on a tear since the start of conference play. The Pensacola native is averaging 19.4 points and 6.2 rebounds through five conference games, including a 38-point outing last week at Tallahassee, guiding the Raiders to victory.
  • The Raiders are one of the more efficient offensive attacks in the country, connecting on a 49.8% clip from the field, good for 12th best in the nation. The team is also solid defensively, giving up 66.5 points per game, which is top 40 in the country.