Hayes and Roman Carry Raiders to 76-72 Victory Over Bishop State on the Road

MOBILE, Ala. – Northwest Florida State men's basketball bounced back into the win column Thursday evening with a thrilling 76-72 road victory over Bishop State. A second-half offensive explosion and standout performances from Josh Hayes and Braylon Roman paved the way for the win.

After a quiet first half with just five points, 6'10" forward Hayes took control in the second half, scoring 14 of his 19 points in the final 20 minutes. Hayes also contributed nine rebounds, solidifying his impact on both ends of the floor.

Freshman guard Braylon Roman maintained his impressive form, leading the Raiders at halftime with 12 points. He added six more in the second half, finishing with 18 points, three steals, and two rebounds, showcasing his all-around play.

The Raiders struggled with turnovers early, giving up possession 15 times in the first half. Despite shooting an efficient 50% from the field, Northwest Florida trailed 32-30 at the break. Roman was one of the few offensive bright spots in the first half as the team struggled to convert outside the paint, including at the free-throw line.

The second half told a different story. Both teams minimized turnovers—Northwest Florida cut theirs from 15 in the first half to just seven—and relied heavily on inside scoring. The Raiders managed only three successful three-pointers on 10 attempts but dominated inside the paint.

Free throws played a critical role in the game, with the Raiders attempting 40 and converting 23, accounting for nearly a third of their total points.

As both teams found their rhythm offensively, the game became a back-and-forth battle in the final 10 minutes, with a combined 53 points scored. Hayes and Williams excelled at attacking the defense, while Hayes, Roman, and Raymundo made their presence felt on the boards.

Down the stretch, the Raiders secured a slim lead and relied on their rebounding prowess to stifle Bishop State's offense. A clutch layup from Curtis Williams and two crucial free throws by Braylon Roman sealed the four-point victory, improving Northwest Florida's record to 5-2 on the season.

NUMBERS OF NOTE:

• The Raiders finished shooting 54.3% from the field, the fourth time this season they've surpassed the 50% mark.
•  Northwest Florida made (23) and attempted (40) the more free throws in tonight's win than any other game this season.
• The Raiders excelled on the defensive glass once again, however, rebounded a season low when it came to offensive boards (9).
• Josh Hayes has scored double figures in each of his last three games and five of his seven games this season.
• Braylon Roman has also scored double figures in five of his seven games this season.

UP NEXT

The Northwest Florida State Raiders face a tough road ahead with two high-stakes games in the Pensacola State Thanksgiving Classic on Tuesday, Nov. 26, and Wednesday, Nov. 27.

First, the Raiders will go head-to-head with former head coach Greg Heir and his #3-ranked Trinity Valley squad. Following that, they'll face an even greater challenge against the #2-ranked Panola team.

After the Thanksgiving Classic, the Raiders will return to their home court on Dec. 3 to take on Southern Union, ready to build on their momentum.