Faizon Fields posted a career-high 14 points in a 74-58 Chipola victory over Southwest Tennessee Community College on Saturday in the final game of the Milton Johnson Classic. The #13 Indians moved to 3-0 on the season and continued to add to their home win streak.
The Indians had to overcome a poor shooting night to put away the Saluqis. Chipola shot just 41% (25-for-61) from the field, including a dismal 4-for 26 from three-point range.
Despite having a tough time getting the shots to fall, Chipola had four scorers in double-digits. Along with Fields' 14, John Wilson, Carlos Lemus, and Nae'Qwan Tomlin contributed ten points apiece.
Chipola carried a 30-25 into the half and had a hard time shaking the Saluqis in the early going of the second half. With just under fifteen minutes to play, the Saluqis hit a three, barely avoiding a shot clock violation, to trim the lead to three at 40-37.
Seconds later, Cliff Davis would start a 12-0 run by the Indians hitting their first three-pointer of the game from just in front of the Chipola bench. Tomlin followed with a three from almost the same spot on the floor to put the Indians up, 46-37.
Kris Gardner was responsible for the next six points converting a traditional three-point and then finding the lucky spot once again in front of the Indians' bench for three.
The Saluqis would not be able to cut the lead to less than nine the rest of the way as the Indians went on to the 74-68 victory.
"We really need to continue to improve and grow at the offensive end of the floor," said head coach Donnie Tyndall.
"I thought at times tonight the ball stuck in guys' hands and we didn't get the ball reversed to a second and third side of the floor on way too many possessions. We have to clean that up this week as we go on the road against two really good and well coached basketball teams."
The Indians (#13 NJCAA, #1 FCSAA) will be away from The Milt for the next three weeks as they head to Melbourne to take part in the FCSAA Shootout at Eastern Florida State College on Friday and Saturday. Chipola will face the Titans, a team the Indians defeated 70-61 in last season's FCSAA State Region VIII, on the first day. On day two, the opponent will be Santa Fe College. Coach Tyndall's 2020-2021 team also defeated the Saints, 80-56, at the Milt back in January.
Season Notes
- Nae'Qwan Tomlin has scored double-digits in all three of the Indians' game this season. He and Shay Davis lead Chipola in points per game with 13.
- Achor Achor is averaging 7 boards a night to lead the Indians in rebounds.
- John Wilson leads the team in assists/game (4.3) and steals per game (3.3).
- The Indians will not play at home again until Saturday, November 27, when they take on Southern Union State Community College and attempt to extend their homw ein streak to 20 games.