#14 Indians box out Tallahassee State to win on Homecoming

MARIANNA, Fla. – The #14 Chipola men (19-5; 4-2) never trailed during Homecoming at The Milt on Saturday as they took down the Tallahassee State Eagles, 78-61. Five players scored in double digits led by Trent Lincoln and Grace Aluma who each tallied 13 points. Donald Bangham Jr. had 11 points and Justin Burns and Miles Ndalama added 10 points apiece.

Dean Coleman-Newsome and Antonio Baker hit a pair of three-point shots to start the scoring in Chipola's much-needed win on Saturday evening. The made baskets were two of four from behind the arc in the first half that helped Chipola build a five-point lead at the half.

Chipola spread the ball around nicely as nine of the ten players that saw action in the first twenty minutes contributed to the first-half output. Chipola shot 35.5% from the floor in the first half, including 4-of-9 from three-point range. The Indians held Tallahassee to 7-of-27 from the floor and just 2-of-12 from long distance.

After Chipola Cheerleader, Haven White, was named 2025 Homecoming Queen at halftime, the Eagles hit a three in the first minute of the second half to cut Chipola's lead down to two. Tallahassee, however, would not get any closer the remainder of the game.

The Indians were dominant on the boards as they outrebounded the Eagles, 55-22, led by Donald Bangham Jr & Justin Burns with 9 each. It was the Indians' second highest rebound tally of the season.

Although the Indians struggled from behind the arc in the second half (2-of-13, 15.4%), they shot 42.9% from the floor. The Indians were also 18-of-22 from the charity stripe in the second half. Chipola had not made more than 18 free throws in a game until Saturday night when they converted on 20-of-28 attempts.

With 2:51 remaining in the game, Donald Bangham Jr.'s three-point bucket put the Indians up 68-58 and triggered a 13-3 Chipola run to end the game. The Indians held Tallahassee without a field the final four minutes of the game.

Up Next

#14 Chipola will look to win the season series with #15 Northwest Florida when the teams meet in Niceville on Wednesday night, February 12. Chipola won the first meeting, 67-57, on January 25 at the Milton H. Johnson Center. Tip from Raider Arena will follow the women's game at approximately 7:30 PM.

Game Notes

• Chipola has won their last five games against Tallahassee. Chipola swept the season series a year ago and defeated the Eagles in the semifinals of the 2024 FCSAA Region VIII Tournament in Niceville.
• Now in his fifth season as the Head Coach of the Indians, Donnie Tyndall is 10-5 against the Eagles. Tallahassee has beaten Chipola under Coach Tyndall more than any other school. Northwest Florida has won four times, Pensacola three, and Gulf Coast has won twice. Coach Tyndall is 49-14 against Panhandle Conference teams.