Chipola men run away with tough season opener

The Chipola Indians used an 8-0 lead midway through the first half to pull away from last year's NJCAA Division 2 runner-up in the season opener for both teams. Coach Donnie Tyndall's squad stretched their lead out to as many as 29 before coming away with a 94-79 win.

The Indians picked up a career night from Shay Davis, a returning guard that averaged just over three minutes a game on last year's final four team. Davis knocked down 8 three-point buckets enroute to a 31 point night to lead all scorers.

Through much of the first half, the Storm battled the Indians on both ends of the floor. Carlos Lemus and Cliff Davis hit threes on each side of an Achor Achor drive to the basket to give the Indians a ten-point lead with just over ten minutes to play in the half.

With seven minutes remaining in the half, the Storm cut the lead back to single digits but back-to-back threes from Davis pushed the lead back out to eleven. The Storm would not get any closer the rest of the way. The Indians extended the lead to 53-34 as both teams went to the locker room at the half.

In the second half, the teams exchanged buckets until, once again, back-to-back threes  from Davis followed by dunks by Faizon Fields and Nae'Qwan Tomlin pushed the Chipola lead to 83-56 with less than eight minutes remaining.

The Indians went on to close out the game for their first win of the 2021-2022 season and their 17th straight home win, a streak that dates back to the 2019-2020 season.

Tomlin and Kris Gardner, who was making his return from an injury that caused him to miss the postseason last year, each scored 11 in the win.

From Coach Tyndall

• About the win - "I thought we competed hard tonight however we have a long ways to go in regard to taking care of the basketball. I thought we played unselfish and we played hard but we just have to play with more detail."
• On the atmospere - "I want to thank our fans. We had a great crowd and I think our players really fed off of their enthusiasm. We appreciate them being there tonight!"
• About Davidson-Davie - "That was a very good, very well coached team tonight that played in the national championship game last year. I have a ton of respect for their coach and their program."

Game Notes

• Although the three-point line backed up this season, it didn't affect the Indians in their season opener. Chipola hit 15 three-pointers, the most under coach Donnie Tyndall.
• The Indians' 94 points was also the most points scored under coach Tyndall.

Next Up

• The Indians will host the Milton Johnson Classic this weekend.
• Chipola will take on Marion Military Institute at 7 PM on Friday night and Southwest Tennessee on Saturday at 3 PM.
• Other games: Southwest Tennesse vs. Southwest Mississippi at 5 PM on Friday; Marion Military Institute vs. Southwest Mississippi at 1 PM on Saturday.