Advancing: NWF Takes Down #1 Seed EFSC, Pushing Them to Championship Game Against Chipola

NICEVILLE, Fla. — For the second straight year, Northwest Florida men's basketball has reached the FCSAA DI/NJCAA South Atlantic District Men's Basketball Championship Game, where they will have a shot to defend their title against Chipola tomorrow at 2:00 PM. 

The Raiders advanced to the championship game following a 71-62 victory over the number one-seeded Eastern Florida Titans, which saw several Raiders step up in many ways. The two players won stood out the most, Tajuan Simpkins and Rasheed Jones. Simpkins finished with a game-high 28 points while Jones finished right behind him with 22 points for the contest. 

Tavion Banks had the best all-around performance, recording a double-double after scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds, adding four assists and three steals to his stat sheet. Another Raider who rose to the occasion was Tyrese Elliott. Although the box score only shows five points, 1 assist, and three rebounds, Elliott made some critical plays at the end of the ball game that helped seal the deal for the Raiders. After checking in with under five minutes to play, Elliott recorded an assist, two steals, a made jumper, and a massive defensive rebound with two minutes to go.

As a team, NWF shot 48.1% from the field, including 44.4% from three, one of their better percentages from the arc this season. They secured a slight rebounding advantage over the Titans (+5) after hauling in 34 boards. The Raiders did a good job running in transition, converting 15 fast break points while only giving up two to their opposition. Points in the paint were key. 52 of the Raider's 65 points came in the painted area, whereas the Titans only saw 22 of their points come near the rim. 

This win marks the Raider's 28th of the season, as it looks to have given them a spot in tomorrow's championship and a spot in the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, later this month. If the Raiders can pull off the win Tomorrow against the Indians, it would be their second consecutive Region VIII Championship and 11th overall.  

The Indians are looking to secure their third win over the Raiders this season and third Region VIII Championship in the last four years. The 18-time State Champs come into the game having defeated seven-seeded Tallahassee 73-68 in a game that came down to the final few minutes.