TALLAHASSEE, Fl. - (tcceagles.com) — Four players scored in double-figures for NJCAA No. 3/Region 8 No. 1 Tallahassee Community College in Saturday's 76-58 win over Hillsborough Community College in the men's home opener.
Tallahassee is now 2-0 on the young season while Hillsborough dropped to 0-2 with both losses coming against nationally-ranked opponents. The Hawks lost to Florida SouthWestern State College on Wednesday.
The Eagles struggled to find their shooting touch on Saturday, connecting on only 25-of-77 shots overall (32.5 percent) and 10-of-42 (23.8 percent) from long distance. Defensively, it was another story, however.
Tallahassee scored 29 points off 39 Hillsborough turnovers, held the Hawks to 18-of-50 shooting (36.0 percent) and won the rebounding battle, 49-42.
The Eagles scored the first seven points of the game and held Hillsborough scoreless for the first five minutes, eventually leading 15-3. The Hawks slowly chipped away and were within five, 25-20, entering the final two minutes of the half. That's when Tallahassee made a game-changing run.
Twelve unanswered points, including eight in the final half minute, swung the momentum and sent the Eagles to the locker room in front, 37-20.
Tallahassee led by as many as 25 in the second half.
Jeremiah Kendall led the Eagles' quartet of double-figure scorers with 14 points. Etan Collins and Shawn Walker had 13 each. LaDarius Knight scored 10.
Tallahassee will return to action on Wednesday when it hosts Andrew (Ga.) College at 7 p.m.
