The Chipola men's basketball team led most of the way on the road against the #9 ranked Gulf Coast State College Commodores on Wednesday night. With just over 8 minutes left in the game, Gulf Coast took the lead, 56-55 and did not trail the remainder of the game. The Indians wouldn't score again until 3:43 remaining in the game. Despite the scoring drought, the Indians rallied in the final seconds of the game to tie the score. A turnover followed by another Gulf Coast three-pointer sealed the game for the Commdoroes as Chipola dropped to 5-2 on the season and 0-1 in the Panhandle Conference.
After the Commodores started the game converting on a four-point play, the Indians went on a 16-6 run to lead 16-10 going into the 12-minute media timeout. Bryce Zephir hit two three-pointers to help push the Indians out front. Zephir would go on to finish with 11.
The Indians were leading by double digits in the final seconds of the first half but a Gulf Coast three-pointer at the buzzer made the score 38-30. At the half, eight different players had scored for the Indians.
The teams came out in the second half trading baskets and the Indians holding onto a 54-47 lead at the 12-minute mark. Chipola would get outscored 15-3 over the next nine minutes of the game as the Indians struggled with the Commodores' zone defense.
The Indians did not go away, however. Down only two with less than a minute to play, Gulf Coast was called for goaltending on Achor Achor's shot to tie the score 65-65 with 40 seconds remaining. Gulf Coast turned the ball over on their ensuing possession leaving the Indians with the ball and 25 seconds remaining.
Following the inbounds pass, the Indians turned the ball over and handed it to the Commodores with 19 seconds remaining in the game. Gulf Coast would take advantage when Jammy Pierre-Louis hit a three from the corner in front of the Commodores' bench with :05 remaining. Carlos Lemus's three point attempt at the buzzer fell short as the Commodores escaped with the 68-65 win.
Chipola will back at home in The Milt on Saturday night at 7:30 against Pensacola State College.
From Coach Tyndall
"I thought we handled their press pretty well, however, we gave up too many offensive rebounds that resulted in second chance points. We struggled against their zone in the second half but competed hard for 40 minutes. We have to learn from the film tomorrow and get ready for a physical hard playing Pensacola team."
Team Notes
- Carlos Lemus had his second double-double of the season, scoring 14 points and hauling in 13 rebounds. Achor joined Lemus and Zephir in double figures on the night scoring 10.
- Indians outshot the Commodores from the field, 50% (27-54) to 37.9% (22-58). The Commodores were 9-26 (34.6%) from 3-point range compared to the Indians 4-15 (26.7%).
- Chipola struggled from the charity stripe going 7-17 (41%).
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