Raiders Cruise to 24-Point Win Over Pensacola Wednesday
NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest Florida State men's basketball capped off their final home game with an authoritative 75-51 triumph over Pensacola on Wednesday at Raider Arena.
It was a collective effort from the entire team, with every player contributing points for Steve DeMeo's squad. On sophomore night, it was fitting that four sophomores led the scoring charge for the Raiders. Tajuan Simpkins and Jadyn Shider led the way, with Simpkins tallying 15 points and Shider notching 12, along with an impressive eight rebounds and six assists. Jamal Sumlin and Tyrese Elliott also made significant contributions with 11 points each, complemented by rebounds and assists.
The Raiders dominated the paint, with 48 of their points coming from inside, enabling them to shoot over 50.0% from the field compared to Pensacola's subpar 40.0%. Fast break points were another crucial element in the Raiders' success, outscoring Pensacola 16-5 in that department.
With their spot in the upcoming Region 8 Tournament already secured, the Raiders are now focused on improving their seeding. Currently boasting a 25-4 record, tied with Chipola for the second-best in the region, a win on Saturday could significantly bolster their chances of securing a top-three seed in the tournament.
FIRST HALF
The Raiders stormed out of the gate, quickly establishing a commanding 9-0 lead. Pensacola managed to break their scoring drought with a layup just before the 17-minute mark, but Northwest Florida State continued to dominate, extending their lead to 18-2 with 13:31 on the clock. Despite Pensacola's efforts to find their footing, the Raiders' stifling defense thwarted their every move. With ten minutes remaining in the half, Northwest Florida State surged to their largest lead of the period, leading by 23 points. As the halftime buzzer sounded, the Raiders maintained a comfortable 20-point advantage, leading 43-23.
SECOND HALF
The second half mirrored the first as Northwest Florida State launched an 8-2 scoring run in the opening minutes, pushing their lead to a game-high 26 points with roughly 17 minutes remaining. Although Pensacola attempted a comeback around the 13-minute mark, they struggled to halt the Raiders' offensive onslaught. Northwest Florida State responded to every Pensacola effort with precision. A Tajuan Simpkins windmill dunk appeared to seal the deal, extinguishing any remaining hope for the Pirates. Unsurprisingly, the Raiders held on to clinch their eighth conference victory of the season.
UP NEXT
The Raiders will wrap up their 2023-24 regular season this Saturday with a matchup against Gulf Coast in Panama City. Tipoff is set for 4:00 PM (CST).