By: Rolando Rosa - JCFloridan.com Photo: Kristie Cloud
Evelyn Akhator made sure her final home game at Chipola College was a memorable one.
The 6-foot-3 sophomore Akhator bid farewell to the Milton H. Johnson Center with 34 points, 20 rebounds, six blocks and three steals in a 77-42 victory against Tallahassee Community College on Tuesday night.
With the win, the No.1 state ranked and No.3 nationally ranked Lady Indians (26-1, 10-1) finished up the home schedule with a perfect 13-0 mark. Chipola is also now guaranteed of at least a share of the conference title heading into the season finale on Saturday 5:30 p.m. at Northwest Florida State (23-2), which is currently second in the conference (9-2).
Eight straight points from Akhator, culminating with a steal and drive, put Chipola up 31-13 with 4:13 left in the first half. The Lady Indians went on a 27-5 run the final 11 minutes of the first half. A steal by Sueterrica Key triggered a corner 3-pointer from Kendra Martin on a pass by Janisha Lindsey to put Chipola ahead 45-15 into halftime.
Early on, Akhator displayed her defensive dominance. Akhator swatted multiple shots of the Lady Eagles' Aryn Tarver in one possession then pinned Paris Johnson Jones' attempt moments later.
Rosemarie Julien scored 19 points for the Lady Indians. Jeremica Edwards finished with 20 points for the Lady Eagles (20-10, 5-7).
The Lady Indians forced the Lady Eagles into 26 turnovers and connected on 7-of-17 from the 3-point line.