NWF Prepares to Face Tallahassee on Wednesday

Game #18

#8 Northwest Florida State (17-2) at Tallahassee (14-4)

Saturday, January 17, 2024 | 6:30 PM (CST) |Tallahassee, FL

Links: Live Stream

TIP OFF

Northwest Florida State men's basketball is looking to rebound from a tough loss suffered on Saturday to Chipola, where the Indians took down the Raiders, 76-73, in overtime at Raider Arena. The loss was just the second surrendered by the Raiders this season, as they now drop to 0-1 in conference play and 17-2 overall.

For Tallahassee, this will be their first conference matchup of the season. They aim to go 1-0 to start league play and extend their three-game win streak to four with a win over the Raiders at home on Wednesday.

The two sides last squared off in the FCSAA DI Men's Basketball Tournament championship game, where the Raiders narrowly edged the Eagles by four points, securing their tenth state title in school history. The Raiders have come out victorious in their last three matchups with the Eagles after going 3-1 against them last season and will look to make it four straight games against their conference rival with another win on the road Wednesday.

LAST TIME OUT

The Raiders dropped their conference opener at home to Chipola last Saturday, losing 76-73 in overtime. Despite coming back from a double-digit deficit in the first half and carrying a double-digit lead in the second half, the Raiders could not contain the Indians as Chipola snuck out of Raider Arena with a victory, moving NWF to 0-1 in conference play.

The story of the game was free throws, as the Indians shot 20 more attempts (32) at the line than the Raiders (12), which was a major factor late in the game. Also, the Raiders only managed to score six points in the overtime period, which came early after RaSheed Jones knocked down back-to-back threes in the opening minute.

Jones managed to record a season-high 27 points in the game, which included seven makes from behind the arc. Tajuan Simpkins notched his 11th double-digit scoring output of the season, scoring 17 points for the contest. Tavion Banks recorded his third double-double of the season after putting up 13 points and 11 rebounds against the Indians.

RAIDERS' STATISTICAL LEADERS

PTS/G: Tajuan Simpkins (14.1)

FG%: Jadyn Shider (67.5%)

3FG%: Tajuan Simpkins (42.2%)

REB/G: Jadyn Shider (8.0)

AST/G: Jamal Sumlin (3.4)

STL/G: Tajuan Simpkins (1.8)

BLK/G: Tavion Banks (0.7)

PANHANDLE CONFERENCE STANDINGS

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