Gilbert’s Hot Hand Leads NWF to Win

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Leading by one coming out of halftime, Nashani Gilbert put the Raiders on her back scoring 14 points in the third quarter highlighted by four consecutive three-pointers as No. 1 Northwest Florida defeated Hillsborough, 63-56, in the Juco Shootout on Saturday.

NWF (2-0) struggled offensively for the second consecutive game, but Gilbert's third quarter combined with solid performances by Inès Piper and Shelbee Brown gave the Raiders enough fire power to earn the win.

Piper scored 13 points on 6-of-13 shooting, hauled in a game-best 13 rebounds, and added two blocks. Brown finished with 10 points on and six boards.

Northwest Florida controlled the game inside outrebounding Hillsborough 50-29 while outscoring the Hawks 20-4 in the paint.

The Raiders return home to take on Meridian on Nov. 12 and East Central on Nov. 13.

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