NWF Dominates Second Half, Secures 16-Point Victory Against Copiah-Lincoln on Friday

NICEVILLE, Florida – Raider Arena was full of excitement on Friday night as Northwest Florida State men's basketball sailed to a commanding 70-54 victory over Copiah-Lincoln, and helping them secure their third consecutive victory.

It was a close battle for most of the first half, with neither team grasping a firm lead despite NWF holding a ten-point lead at one point. The Raiders were able to rely on their physical defense, holding Copiah-Lincoln to 33.3% shooting for the game – under 30% for the second half – and fast break opportunities to help them get past the Wolves tonight.

NWF also got some help from a pair of starters combining to score 29 points in the game. Jamal Sumlin notched a season-high with 17 points on the night, adding five assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals to the mix. Jadyn Shider impressed with 12 points while securing four rebounds. Tavion Banks nearly secured his third double-double of the season, raking in nine points and eight rebounds.

The Raiders now improve to 13-1 on the season and will look to finish off their 2023 home slate with a huge win tomorrow night as they get set to take on No. 20 Eastern Florida State.

FIRST HALF

Both teams experienced a slow start in the opening minutes of the contest. The Raiders kicked off the game with a 1-4 shooting performance, while the Wolves struggled, going 0-1 with three turnovers in the first two and a half minutes. Jadyn Shider and Jamal Sumlin each contributed with a pair of shots, granting NWF a 6-2 advantage. Baskets were exchanged over the next few minutes, with neither team securing a lead greater than four. At the 11:06 mark in the first half, Brandon Sinclair hit a mid-range jumper just in front of the charity stripe, propelling NWF to their first double-digit lead of the game (10).

RaSheed Jones expanded that lead by sinking a three-pointer from the wing, giving the Raiders a 12-point advantage. However, a 12-2 scoring run by Copiah-Lincoln over the next five minutes narrowed the Raiders' lead back to within a single score. Tavion Banks and Trey Brown made shots in the lane, allowing NWF to regain an eight-point cushion with just under 30 seconds remaining in the half. But, a last-second three from the Wolves helped them trim the deficit as they headed into the locker rooms, with NWF leading Copiah-Lincoln 33-28 at the break.

SECOND HALF

A five-point swing by the Wolves at the start of the second half narrowed the Raiders' lead to one, courtesy of a layup and a three-pointer. Undeterred, NWF mounted a strong response, initiating a 12-0 run over the next four minutes, securing a 13-point advantage. Finally, with 14:30 remaining in the game, Copiah-Lincoln answered with a triple and later connected on another three, reducing the Raiders' lead to five.

NWF swiftly retaliated with another scoring run, featuring a couple of triples from Trey Brown and Will Hynes, restoring a double-digit advantage. Jamal Sumlin capped off an 18-4 scoring run with 4:26 left in the game, establishing the Raiders' largest lead of the contest at 20 points. Despite a pair of made three's by the Wolves, the deficit proved insurmountable as NWF secured a convincing 70-54 victory over Copiah-Lincoln on Friday, marking their 13th win of the season.

UP NEXT

NWF is back at home tomorrow night for their final home game of the 2023 fiscal year. The Raiders are set to take on No. 20 Eastern Florida State tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 PM (CST) from Raider Arena.

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