NICEVILLE, Fla. — Tallahassee Community College's men's basketball team rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to beat Northwest Florida State College, 76-69, on Thursday evening.
Tallahassee is now 8-0 overall, 3-0 in Panhandle Conference play.
Through 20 minutes, Tallahassee found itself staring at a 35-24 deficit – the first time the Eagles have trailed at the break this season. The second half was a different story, however, as Tallahassee outscored the host Raiders, 52-34.
After initially falling behind 37-24, the Eagles slowly chipped away at the deficit. With 9:30 left in the game, DeAngelo Ware scored in transition following a Northwest Florida State turnover to give the Eagles their first second-half lead, 49-48.
The game was tied as the clock ticked under four minutes when El Ellis knocked down a go-ahead three at the 3:41 mark to put the Eagles in front, 61-58, sparking a decisive 9-0 run. After forcing a turnover on the Raiders' ensuing possession, Shawn Walker found Tyler Poindexter in the corner for another three, extending the Eagles' lead to six.
Jeremiah Kendall then added an old-fashioned three-point play to give Tallahassee a 67-58 lead with 2:52 left, all but sealing the win.
Ellis finished with 21 points to lead a quartet of double-figure scorers for Tallahassee. Kendall had 18 points and nine rebounds. Walker added 14 points and Ware, 11.
Tallahassee will close out round one of league play on Saturday when it hosts Pensacola State College at 5 p.m.
