Defense Guides Raiders to Win

NICEVILLE, Fla. – Northwest Florida's ungenerous defense held Pearl River to single-digit field goal percentage for most of the game and Reneasha Payton poured in 20 points to lead the Raiders to a 67-21 victory in Raider Arena Thursday.

Fourth-ranked Northwest Florida (12-0) led from start to finish and built a 46-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Payton finished the game 6-for-14 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

Rayven Peeples continued to dominate in the paint posting a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Peeples also had six blocks, two steals and two assists. Laura Taylor was 4-of-9 from 3-point range to add 12 points to the score line along with five rebounds and five assists.

The game marked the third time this season that the Raiders have held an opponent to less than 30 points. Pearl River managed to shoot just 10.2 percent (5-49) from the field.

Northwest Florida returns to action Friday at 7 p.m. as it hosts No. 24 Eastern Florida. Pearl River plays DME Academy at 3 p.m. and Niceville High School takes on Crestview High School at 5 p.m.

For more information on Northwest Florida athletics, visit NWFRaiders.com or follow us on Twitter at @NWF_Raiders.