MARIANNA, Fla. – Although leading by 14 with three minutes remaining, the #1 Chipola Indians (19-0, 1-0 PC) needed a defensive stop on the final play of the game to defeat #25 Northwest Florida (14-5, 0-1 PC), 75-74, in the Panhandle Conference opener for both teams.

A large crowd at the Milton H. Johnson center saw the Indians build an 18-point lead with seven minutes remaining in the game on a Kendall Moore three-pointer.

The Raiders began to chip away at the lead, however, and received help with less than two minutes remaining. A pair of fouls called on the Indians resulted in five free throw opportunities on one trip down the court.

With the lead closed to seven and 1:19 remaining on the clock, Deyton Albury put the Indians up 75-66 on a pair of free throws that appeared to be inconsequential. It would turn out to be the difference in the game.

Following a three pointer by the Raiders and a missed three pointer by the Indians, a layup from Northwest Florida closed the Chipola lead to 75-71 with 30 seconds remaining.

Following a missed Chipola free throw, another three-pointer by the Raiders cut the lead to one with 12.2 seconds remaining.

After the Indians inbounded the ball, a turnover gave the Raiders the ball in front of their own bench with 8.2 seconds remaining.

The Chipola defense came up with its biggest stop of the night as they forced a long three by the Raiders that hit the rim and bounded away as time expired.

Jamil Safieddine led the Indians with 16 points followed by Jatarion Warren with 14 and Derrick Butler with 12.

Chipola will play at Pensacola on Wednesday night at 7:30 PM. The Pirates lost their conference opener to Gulf Coast, 71-70, to fall to 9-9 overall and 0-1 in Panhandle Conference play.

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