Raiders Erase Halftime Deficit for Sixth Straight Win on Saturday

NICEVILLE, Florida – Northwest Florida men's basketball secured their sixth win of the season on Saturday night over Meridian College, 84-70, following a second-half surge by the Raiders which saw five-players reach double-figures in the scoring column.

Despite walking away with a double-digit victory, the Eagles did not make it easy on the Raiders. Meridian went toe-to-toe with Northwest Florida in the first half, shooting 45.5% from the field, forcing seven Raider turnovers, and holding a plus five advantage on the glass. This helped the Eagles to a 39-38 lead over the Raiders at the half – the first time NWF has trailed at halftime this season.

However, the Raiders were able to regroup in the second half, shooting an emphatic 61.5% from the floor, knocking down five threes, while turning in 46 points as a team in the half. Five Raiders finished the game in double figures. Jamal Sumlin, Karahan Efeoglu, and Tavion Banks all finished the game with 15 points each. Banks added six rebounds and four assists to the mix, while Efeoglu added nine rebounds and a pair of blocks. RaSheed Jones (12) and Tajuan Simpkins (11) were the other two Raiders to score in double figures.

Northwest Florida finished the game shooting 57.1% from the field, 29.4% from three and 67.6% from the free throw line. The Raiders were plus one in rebounds (32-31), plus six in assists (18-12), and dead even with the Eagles in turnovers (10).

FIRST HALF

• Both teams traded blows through the first seven minutes of play, not seeing a lead larger than four.
• The Raiders were able to jump out to their largest lead of the half (10) a pair of made layups by Tyrese Elliott and Tavion Banks.
• Each team continued to go-back-and forth, but it was second chance points for the Eagles that allowed them to stay in the game, eventually erasing their 10-point with a 9-0 run under two minutes in the half, tying the game at 36 a piece.
• The Eagles would carry a one point lead into the lock rooms.

SECOND HALF

• Eagles hit back-to-back threes and a layup to start the second half, giving them their largest lead of the game (5).
• Tavion Banks knocked down a pair of free throws to tie it back up at 47 and later layup of a basket from the low post to regain the Raider lead.
• The back-and-forth battle continued until the ten-minute mark when the Raiders started to knock down more shots and take advantage of some shooting fouls by the Eagles.
• RaSheed Jones put down a triple with 6:46 left in the game, putting the Raider back up by double-figures, which would hold out for the remainder of the game.

UP NEXT

Northwest Florida is back at Raider Arena Tuesday, Nov. 14 against Indian Hills for what will be their sixth straight game at home this season. Tip off is set for 7:30 PM