Raiders Kick Off Panhandle Conference Play with Win

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Northwest Florida State men's basketball held off a furious Pensacola comeback on the road, 78-72, to kick off Panhandle Conference play on Wednesday.

The Raiders (4-2) led by as many as 18 points in the second half, but the three ball kept the Pirates in the game. Pensacola closed the gap to and little as five late in the game knocking down 6-of-14 threes in the second half, but NWF was able to keep its opponent at bay down the stretch.

Pensacola shot 50 percent from the field (28-56) for the game, while Northwest Florida finished 28-of-65 (43.1 percent) as a team.

Six Raiders scored in double figures led by Micah Thomas with 18 points and seven assists. Fallou Diagne had 15 and Alonzo Gaffney added 14 with 11 rebounds. Cam Jones, Jourdan Smith, and Marseilles Caston scored 10 each in the win.

Brett Thompson led the Pirates with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting and four treys.

Northwest Florida now turns its attention to its league home opener against Gulf Coast on Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Raider Arena.

For more information on Northwest Florida State Athletics, visit NWFRaiders.com or follow the team on Twitter at @NWFRaiders.