Raiders Sweep Season Series Against Eagles Wednesday
TALLAHASSEE — Northwest Florida State women's basketball secured a commanding three-game series sweep over Tallahassee on Wednesday, clinching a 66-38 victory.
The Raiders displayed dominance in the paint, with 46 of their 66 points originating from inside, complemented by an additional 20 points from successful free throw attempts. Notably, this game marked a season-high in free throw conversions for the Raiders and a season-low in three-pointers made as a team, with none recorded. The defensive prowess of NWF was evident throughout the game, as they forced 22 turnovers and limited the Eagles to just ten made baskets.
Three Raiders achieved double-digit scoring, showcasing the team's depth. Kyla McBride led the scoring with 14 points, supported by eight rebounds and two steals. Jade Ondineme contributed a career-high ten points along with six rebounds, while Celia Riviere, the sole starter in double figures, recorded 12 points, five rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
With this victory, NWF improves to a commendable 22-3 overall and 7-3 in conference play, positioning them half a game behind Gulf Coast for first place in the Panhandle Conference. The Raiders will now enjoy a well-deserved break during the bye week of their conference schedule before concluding the season with a home game against Pensacola and an away game against Gulf Coast.
SUMMARY
The Raiders faced a sluggish offensive start, failing to score within the initial four minutes of play. Although the Eagles took an early 2-0 lead, their offensive struggles persisted, with just one successful attempt out of their first five shots. Capitalizing on this, the Raiders initiated a stellar defensive performance, generating turnovers and executing efficient inside scoring for layup opportunities. A 13-2 scoring run towards the end of the first quarter propelled the Raiders to a 19-8 lead going into the second frame.
Maintaining momentum in the second quarter, the Raiders sought to preserve their double-digit lead. Despite the Eagles' attempt to narrow the gap, the Raiders' robust defense and consistent inside-scoring kept them ahead. With less than a minute remaining in the half, the Raiders reached their largest lead of 21 points, heading into halftime with a 38-19 advantage.
Offensive struggles continued for both teams in the third quarter, combining for just eight successful shots on 27 attempts. The Raiders relied on free-throw attempts, converting five of nine from the charity stripe, maintaining a more than 20-point lead over Tallahassee at 53-31 by the quarter's end.
The fourth quarter mirrored the previous three, with the Raiders sustaining strong defensive play and capitalizing on paint shots. The Eagles faced their toughest shooting quarter, making only one of their 11 attempts. This allowed the Raiders to extend their lead to 28 points, ultimately securing a decisive 66-38 victory over Tallahassee and completing a season series sweep.
UP NEXT
During the bye week, the Raiders will have a break from the action until next Wednesday when they wrap up their home schedule against Pensacola. Following this, they will have one final game at Gulf Coast to conclude the season.