Heartbreaker

Huge momentum swing not enough as Eagles fall in closing minute

By Brenden Martin
TCC Sports Information
@brendenmartin28 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (November 11, 2013) - Tallahassee Community College took a tough loss in Monday's home-opener against NJCAA No. 22 ranked Florida State College at Jacksonville, falling by a score of 63-58. 

Tallahassee came into Monday's Veterans Day Classic with a record of 3-1 and ranked No. 7 in the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll. Florida State College came in right behind the Eagles ranked No. 8 in the FCSAA. The Blue Wave is also ranked No. 22 in the NJCAA Poll. 

Monday's game was important not just because it was the first home game for the Eagles, the Veterans Day Classic provided an opportunity to honor veterans who have proudly fought and served this country. 

Prior to the start of the game TCC student veteran Bryan Wimberley presented the game ball to the officials. Another student veteran, Dallas Hogan, served as honorary coach for Tallahassee head coach Franqua "Q" Bedell, who made his home debut for the Eagles. 

It was a quick start for Florida State College as they converted early and often, knocking down mid-range jumpers and getting to the rim. However, the Eagles came storming back, playing physical and charging to the basket. 

As the game neared halftime, the Blue Wave started to heat up. They hit three after three, increasing their lead to 13 with three and a half to go in the first. The Blue Wave's Laurie Beaty had five three-pointers in the first half and was the game's leading scorer at halftime with 15 points. 

Aariel Allen was the Eagles' leading scorer at halftime with 11 points. She also had five rebounds and a block as well. Tallahassee looked to improve their perimeter defense in the second half as Florida State College shot 83% from behind the arc in the first 20 minutes. FSC lead Tallahassee 39-22 at halftime. 

The second half started out better for the Eagles as they were more aggressive on defense and forced many Florida State College mistakes and turnovers. Marija Pacar kept the Eagles in the game by hitting two key three-pointers and many clutch shots, and Allen continued her dominance in the post. Meanwhile, everyone in the arena could feel the momentum shifting in favor of Tallahassee as they cut the deficit to nine with four minutes to go in the game. 

The Bill Hebrock Eagledome erupted as Pacar drained multiple three-pointers down the stretch, and the game was shaping up to be another nail-biter for the Eagles. Unfortunately the momentum could not sustain itself until the final whistle as the Eagles lost a heart-breaker 63-58. 

Three Eagles scored in double figures. Pacar and Allen both finished with 16 points. Allen was one rebound shy of a double-double. Pacar shot 60% from behind the arc. Addesha Collins finished with 12 points.   

Tallahassee's next game will be on the road against Chattahoochee Valley (Ala.) Community College on Saturday, November 16. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. eastern.