The FCSAA's #2 and #3 teams will square off on Tuesday night at 5:30, looking for an automatic berth to the FCSAA Tournament, when the Lady Indians (22-6) face the Lady Commodores (18-9) from Gulf Coast State College.
The two teams finished Panhandle Conference play with identical 7-5 records, and although Gulf Coast defeated Chipola two of three games head-to head, conference policies state that when teams tie for second place, a playoff game must be held. Conference policies also state that the game must be played at a neutral site, thus the game being held at the home of the FSCAA's #1 team, Northwest Florida State College.
Chipola and Gulf Coast met in Raider Arena last season as well with even higher stakes at play. In that game, the Lady Indians defeated Gulf Coast, 55-45, to win the FCSAA Championship and earn Region VIII's automatic berth to the NJCAA Tournament.
The two teams met less than a week ago when Gulf Coast defeated the Lady Indians in Panama City, 54-42. The Lady Commodores also won the first game between the two teams, 76-67, on January 17, also at Billy Harrison Fieldhouse. The Lady Indians defeated Gulf Coast in the friendly confines of the Milton H. Johnson Center back on the second of February, 63-51.
The winner of tonight's game will join Northwest Florida in the FCSAA Tournament to be held March 3-5 in Raider Arena. The loser most likely will receive an at-large bid to the tournament but a win is the only way to guarantee a spot.