NWF Set to Host Tallahassee Saturday

Game #23

#5 Northwest Florida State (21-2) vs. Tallahassee (15-7)

February 3, 2024 | 4:00 PM (CST) | Niceville, FL | Raider Arena

Links: Live Stream

TIP OFF

Northwest Florida State men's basketball returns home for another conference matchup on Saturday at 4:00 PM (CST) against Tallahassee. The Raiders are coming off a massive win Wednesday against No. 9 Chipola – a team they lost to previously at home. Now, the Raiders seek to make it five straight wins and six straight against the Eagles.

Tallahassee has hit a cold spell recently, losing three of their last four matchups, which include their previous two games to conference opponents Gulf Coast and Chipola and once to the Raiders earlier last month. The Eagles currently rank fourth in the Panhandle Conference standings with a 1-3 record and look to make a jump with a win at Raider Arena on Saturday.

POSTER SIGNING

On Saturday, there will be a poster signing event during halftime of both the men's and women's basketball games. Posters will be distributed to fans at every entrance, and the signings will occur under Section I.

1995 MEN'S BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

On Saturday, NWF will recognize the 1995 Okaloosa-Walton Raiders National Championship team during a brief ceremony at halftime. The 95' Raiders were the first of three teams to bring an NJCAA National Championship to Niceville. Led by late head coach Murray Arnold, the Raiders, at the time, won a program record 31 games, including 11 conference bouts, leading to the school's second Panhandle Conference Championship, first FCSAA State Championship, and first-ever National Championship.

In total, 11 members are expected to make their return to NWF, including former college president Dr. Bob Richburg, former head coach and assistant coach Ray Ross, and players Ty Washington, Quinton Pierson, Michael Spruell, Cameron Dailey, Melvin Drake, Sherman Fuller, Larry Coates, Devonne Fields and Antonio Cochran.

LAST TIME OUT

The Raiders secured a massive road win against No. 9 Chipola Wednesday night, defeating the Indians 67-56 in Mariana, Fla. The first half was very tightly contested, with neither team able to secure an edge over one another. Despite the Raiders outshooting their opponents in the first 20 minutes, the Indians controlled the glass with a plus-nine rebounding differential (25-16) over NWF. The Raiders managed to come away with a two-point lead (25-23) at the break, setting the game up for an exciting finish.

RaSheed Jones and Tajuan Simpkins both shined throughout. After scoring ten in the first, Jones took his scoring to another level in the second, recording 16 points in the final 20 minutes of action, giving him 26 for the game, which included four makes from three. Simpkins also put on an impressive display against the Indians. He finished the game with 22 points, including three makes from behind the arc, five rebounds, a pair of assists, and four steals.

NWF finished the game shooting 45.5% from the field, including 31.8% from three, while holding Chipola to 30.8% shooting and 18.8% from behind the arc. The Indians carried the rebounding advantage, bringing in 13 more boards than the Raiders, including 14 more offensive rebounds.

PANHANDLE CONFERENCE STANDINGS

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