NWF Set to Host East Mississippi on Wednesday, Followed by Matchups Against Santa Fe on Friday and #11 Southern Idaho on Saturday

NICEVILLE, Fla. – Week two of the basketball season is going to be a good one at Raider Arena. Northwest Florida State women's basketball is gearing up for an action-packed week, which will see the Raiders host three teams between Wednesday and Saturday.

First on the slate is East Mississippi. The Raiders are set to host the Lions Wednesday, November 6, at 5:30 p.m. for a mid-week matchup that will feature a pair of undefeated teams.

Following Wednesday's game, the Raiders are set to host another Raider Classic which will see #24 Pensacola State, Santa Fe and #11 Southern Idaho coming to Raider Arena, with Northwest Florida set to play Santa Fe Friday at 5:00 p.m., and #11 Southern Idaho Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

This week will be the final stretch of home games for nearly a month as the Raiders are set to go on a six-game road test which will see them play games in Fort Myers, Panama City, and Pensacola.

FAST BREAKS

• #2 Northwest Florida and East Mississippi are set to square off at Raider Arena Wednesday (Nov. 6) at 5:30 p.m. The Raiders and Lions met twice last season with Northwest Florida winning both games by a combined score of 188-87.
• The Raiders started their season strong with a 2-0 record last weekend, securing victories over Central Georgia Tech (75-56) and DME Academy (58-41).
• Key performances came from veterans Deborah Davenport and Mekhia Chase. Davenport averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1.5 blocks across the two games, while Chase contributed of 14.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 2 steals per game.
• The Lions enter this matchup with a 2-0 record having defeated Andrew College (63-43) and Enterprise State (67-41).
• The Raiders will also host Santa Fe (Friday) and 11th ranked Southern Idaho (Saturday) this weekend.
• Santa Fe is off to a 1-1 start this season, losing to #24 Pensacola State (68-59), and beating Central Pointe Christian Academy (74-73).
• Southern Idaho is off to a soaring start to their season. The Golden Eagles are 2-0 after defeating Southern Idaho All-Stars (104-39) and #4 Eastern Arizona (66-58).

THIS WEEKS SCHEDULE (Nov. 3-9)

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 | 5:30 PM | Women's Basketball

#2 Northwest Florida vs. East Mississippi

Friday, November 8, 2024 | 1:00 PM | Women's Basketball

#24 Pensacola State vs. #11 Southern Idaho

Friday, November 8, 2024 | 3:00 PM | Men's Basketball

#3 Daytona State vs. Pensacola State

Friday, November 8, 2024 | 5:00 PM | Women's Basketball

#2 Northwest Florida vs. Santa Fe

Friday, November 8, 2024 | 7:00 PM | Men's Basketball

#6 Northwest Florida vs. Southern Union

Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 1:00 PM | Women's Basketball

#24 Pensacola State vs. Santa Fe

Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 3:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Pensacola State vs. Southern Union

Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 5:00 PM | Women's Basketball

#2 Northwest Florida vs. #11 Southern Idaho

Friday, November 8, 2024 | 7:00 PM | Men's Basketball

#6 Northwest Florida vs. #3 Daytona State

RETURNING FOR THE RAIDERS

• Bart Walker returns for his tenth season leading the Raiders and his eighth year in his second stint at Northwest Florida State.
• The Raiders bring back seven players from last year's team: Allyson Ferguson, Nevaeh Scott, Aja Pollard, Mekhia Chase, Kyla McBride, Jade Ondineme, and Deborah Davenport.
• Deborah Davenport is the only returning starter, having averaged 8.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 33 games last season. She also contributed 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game over four national tournament games. 

RANKING THE RAIDERS

• Both the Raider men's and women's teams start the season ranked in the top ten of the NJCAA Preseason Poll and in the top five in the FCSAA Coaches' Poll.
• The Raider women open the season ranked second nationally, just behind defending champions Hutchinson, and hold the top spot in the state coaches' poll.
• The Raider men begin the season ranked sixth in the national preseason rankings and are second in the FCSAA Coaches' Poll, behind Daytona State, who is ranked third nationally.