Erving's 28 points lead Chipola past Pensacola, 87-69

Chipola got a huge game from one of their most experienced players on Saturday night enroute to an 87-69 win over Pensacola State College (1-5; 0-2). Lance Erving was ten for ten from the floor and totaled 28 points to help move the Indians to 6-2 on the year and 1-1 in Pandhandle Conference play.

The win would not be as easy as the final score indicated. Pensacola shot 74 percent from the floor in the first half including 7 of 9 from three-point range. The Pirates spread their points around in the first half as all ten players who took the floor, scored. Brett Thompson led the Pirates at the half with nine points. 

Despite Pensacola's hot start, the Indians led throughout most of the first half and trailed by only one going into the locker room with the Pirates up 39-38. Erving's 17 points in the first half, including 5-5 on his three-point attempts, would help keep the Indians close.

The Indians began to take over in the second half. With eight minutes remaining, the Indians went up by ten, 67-57, and would keep a double digit lead the remainder of the game. Chipola was able to correct a contributing factor to their loss earlier in the week, finishing 16-17 from the charity stripe. Jaeden Zackery was 8 of 8 from the line and chipped in four points from the floor to join Erving in double figures. Jo Smith also came up big at the free throw line, sinking five of his six shots, and going 3 of 3 from the floor for a total of 11 points.

Pensacola's Terry Durham scored 14 points in the second half and led the Pirates with 17 on the night.

"We did not do a good job guarding the three point line tonight, however, we kept our turnovers down and did a nice job of executing in the second half, " Head Coach Donnie Tyndall said following the game. "Lance obviously played really well but I was also pleased with the play of Kendall Cotner and Shay Davis off the bench." 

The Indians will head to Tallahassee on Tuesday night to take on the #2 Eagles from Tallahassee Community College. The game will follow the women's game between the two schools at approximately 6:30 PM central. The Eagles are 1-0 in conference play after beating Gulf Coast State on Saturday, 86-74.

Team Notes

• The Indians shot 51.7 percent from the floor including 11-27 (40.7 percent) from 3 point range.
• The Indians did not shoot a free throw in the first half but closed the game going 16-17 (94.1 percent).
• Chipola once again took care of the basketball only turning it over 13 times. On defense, the Indians forced the Pirates into 23 turnovers.