RECAP: Chipola wins first game at Pensacola State Thanksgiving Classic

PENSACOLA, Florida - The #17 Indians used a 17-0 run to start the second half to propel themselves to a 97-65 win over Lamar State College - Port Arthur in the Pensacola State Thanksgiving Classic. Chipola will take on #4 Jones College on Tuesday on day two of the Classic at Hartsell Arena. The Bobcats (7-0) handed Gulf Coast (7-1) their first loss of the season, 86-72, in the Classic's first game on Monday.

Through the first twenty minutes of play, Chipola spread the ball around to take a 38-31 lead at the break. Nine different players contributed to the Chipola total led by Trent Lincoln with 8 first-half points and Antonio Baker with 7. The Indians connected on 14-of-32 shots (43.8%) while holding the Seahawks to 34.5%.

The Seahawks' hope of a second-half comeback quickly disappeared as Chipola went on a 17-0 run in the first four minutes. The Indians' half-court defense kept the Seahawks off the board while continuing to spread the ball around.

All 12 available players scored in the game led by Markel Freeman with 19 points, 16 in the second half. Joining him in double figures were Baker with 12, Justin Burns, who made his first start of the season, with 10, and Matthew Webster with 10.

Game Notes

• Chipola shot a blistering 65.2% from the floor in the second half.
• The Indians' 59 second-half points were the most scored in a half since a 61-point first-half output in a 100-55 win over Baton Rouge Community College on January 15, 2022.
• Chipola is 7-0 this season when scoring 60 or more points.
• Chipola is 13th in the NJCAA and leads the FCSAA in points allowed at 58.7
• Chipola was the only Panhandle Conference team to win on Monday in the Pensacola State Thanksgiving Classic. Tallahassee and Gulf Coast lost their first game of the season and Pensacola fell by two points to #2 Panola College. Northwest Florida did not play on Monday.

Pensacola State Thanksgiving Classic

All games will be played at Hartsell Arena on the campus of Pensacola State College.

Livestream available at https://piratenetwork.live/watch-live/

Monday - November 25, 2024

Tuesday - November 26, 2024

Wednesday - November 27, 2024