Raiders Secure Fifth Straight Win, Lock in Postseason Spot

NICEVILLE, Fla. — For another year, the Northwest Florida State women's basketball team is headed to the postseason after securing a dominant victory over Tallahassee State on Saturday afternoon at Raider Arena. With their fifth straight win, the Raiders officially clinched a spot in the FCSAA State Tournament, which will take place in Niceville March 12-15.

This marks the program's 12th consecutive appearance in the State Tournament, a run that includes three championships (2020, 2022, 2024) and four runner-up finishes (2014, 2015, 2016, 2023). The Raiders have built this success on a stellar 7-1 conference record, holding first place in the standings, and an impressive 23-1 overall record, ranking second in the nation.

Despite missing key players Deborah Davenport and Mekhia Chase due to injuries, the Raiders stepped up when it mattered most. They cruised to a 58-38 win over the Eagles, led by an 18-point performance from Kyla McBride, who also grabbed six rebounds. Freshman Ka'Zahria Johnson dominated the glass with a game-high 11 rebounds, while Nevaeh Scott was the game's top scorer, posting 23 points along with two rebounds and a steal.

Northwest Florida set the tone early, taking an 18-7 lead in the first quarter by holding the Eagles to just two field goals while converting eight of their 16 attempts. By halftime, the Raiders had nearly doubled their lead to 30-14, with multiple players contributing offensively, including McBride (eight points), Scott and Ferguson (six each), and others chipping in.

By the third quarter, the Raiders had extended their lead to 20 points and maintained control the rest of the way, closing out the game with the same advantage to notch their fifth straight victory.

Postgame Notes

• The Raiders shot 40.4% from the field, making 23 of 57 attempts, including 2 of 9 from beyond the arc (22.2%).
• The Eagles struggled offensively, hitting just 11 of 46 shots (23.9%).
• Northwest Florida dominated inside, scoring 38 points in the paint.
• The Raiders controlled the boards, outrebounding the Eagles 47-30, tying their season high.
• Defensively, the Raiders were relentless, forcing 15 turnovers, limiting the Eagles to fewer than five makes per quarter, and recording nine blocks.
• Their largest lead of the game (24 points) came at the 8:15 mark in the fourth quarter.
• The Raiders' biggest scoring run (10-0) occurred in the second quarter at 7:04.

UP NEXT

The Raiders will have a week off before returning to action next Saturday in Pensacola for a 2:00 p.m. matchup against the Pirates. They will then host Gulf Coast on February 26 before heading back on the road to face No. 3 Chipola on March 1. The regular season will conclude at home on March 3 with another matchup against Gulf Coast.