McBride and Chase Lead Raiders to Pensacola Triumph, Extend Streak to 18-0 as Walker Secures 450th Career Win

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Saturday afternoon may have been gloomy in Pensacola, but Northwest Florida State women's basketball brought their own sunshine to the court. The Raiders dominated #20 Pensacola State 76-53, improving their season record to 18-0 and 2-0 in Panhandle Conference play.

The opening quarter saw an intense back-and-forth battle. Northwest Florida's offense focused on attacking the paint, finding consistent success inside. However, the Pirates seemed ready with answers, trading baskets and keeping the game close. By the end of the first quarter, the Raiders held a slim two-point lead.

The second quarter told a different story. Northwest Florida tightened its defense, holding Pensacola to just 10 points in the frame. Forced turnovers and contested shots translated into transition buckets for the Raiders. Offensively, the Raiders continued to exploit the Pirates' defense, extending their lead to 11 by halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Raiders didn't let up. Their relentless drives to the rim and defensive pressure mirrored their second-quarter dominance. The Pirates, unable to recapture their first-quarter rhythm, relied almost entirely on free throws to score in the third quarter. By the time the buzzer sounded, the Raiders had built a commanding 59-37 lead heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter was all about closing out the game. Despite Pensacola's efforts, Northwest Florida maintained control on both ends of the court. The Raiders' balanced attack and defensive consistency helped them seal a 23-point victory, cruising to their 18th straight win of the season.

PERFORMANCES & STATS OF NOTE

• Kyla McBride led the Raiders with a career-high 22 points, surpassing her previous best of 20 set on November 29, 2024, against Bishop State.
• Mekhia Chase contributed 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.
• The Raiders shot an impressive 48.3% from the field, excelling in the paint with all but two makes coming inside.
• From the free-throw line, the team was nearly automatic, hitting 18 of 22 attempts.
• Northwest Florida dominated the boards, finishing with a +14 rebounding margin over Pensacola.
• This marks the third time in five seasons the Raiders have opened a season 18-0. With a win against Gulf Coast on Wednesday, they'll match the program record.

COACH WALKER'S 450^th WIN

With Saturday's victory, head coach Bart Walker achieved a remarkable milestone: 450 career wins spanning 25 years of coaching excellence. Walker's journey began at Hiwassee College, where he spent eight seasons leading the Tigers. In 2008, he took the reins at Northwest Florida State, spending two years as the Raiders' head coach before stepping away from basketball in 2010.

After a six-year hiatus, Walker returned to coaching in 2016 with a brief stint at Motlow State before coming back to Northwest Florida in 2017, where he has been a dominant force ever since.

Of his 450 career wins, 244 have come with the Raiders. During his time at Northwest Florida, Walker has guided the program to six Panhandle Conference Championships, three FCSAA State Championships, and two National Championships. His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including six Panhandle Conference Coach of the Year honors, three FCSAA Coach of the Year awards, and two NJCAA Coach of the Year titles.

Coach Walker's legacy of success continues to inspire and elevate Northwest Florida State basketball to new heights.

UP NEXT

The Raiders will return home on Wednesday for a game against #6 Gulf Coast. The Raiders and Commodores met four times last season with each team winning a pair of games. The Raiders got the last laugh after defeating Gulf Coast 63-59 in the State Championship Game. Tipoff for Wednesday's game is set for 5:15 p.m. at Raider Arena.