TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (December 29, 2019) – NJCAA No. 12/Region 8 No. 2 Tallahassee Community College closed the Tallahassee Democrat Holiday Classic with a convincing 85-50 win over Gordon (Ga.) State College on Sunday afternoon.
The Eagles, who finished the non-conference portion of their schedule with a record of 16-2, now turn their attention to the 12 games that will ultimately write the narrative for the season. Panhandle Conference play tips off on Saturday with a visit from arch-rival Chipola College. The doubleheader begins at 5:30 p.m. with women's action followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Tallahassee had little trouble notching the win over Gordon State. After the Highlanders enjoyed brief leads of 2-0 and 4-2, the Eagles scored 17 unanswered points to take control of the game.
Later in the half, a 17-3 run, capped by Daivon Stephens' basket at the 2:40 mark, extended Tallahassee's lead to 30 (43-13). The Eagles led 45-19 at the intermission.
Eric Hester and DeAndre Robinson opened the second half with back-to-back threes, extending Tallahassee's lead to 51-19, and the Highlanders didn't get closer than 27 the rest of the way.
As the clock neared 8:00, freshman guard El Ellis put the exclamation point on the win. First, he hit a pull-up three in transition. On Gordon State's ensuing possession, Jordan Guest snared the rebound off a missed shot and got the outlet pass into the hands of Ellis, who threw down a 360, two-handed slam dunk. Those two plays accounted for five of Ellis' eight points. He also dished out a team-high seven of the Eagles' 24 assists.
Josiah Mitchell recorded career-highs of 13 points and eight rebounds, sharing team-high honors in both categories with Guest, who also dished out four assists.
DeAndre Gholston and Hester had 12 points each.
In Sunday's first game, Monroe (N.Y.) College edged Pensacola State College, 68-64.
Tallahassee Community College Athletics would like to thank the Leon County Tourist Development Council and Wendy's for its support of the Tallahassee Democrat Holiday Classic.
