GAMEDAY PREVIEW: State's top two teams collide tonight at The Milt

MARIANNA, Fla. – Two of the top teams in the nation will battle it out on Saturday night at the Milton H. Johnson Center.

#1 Northwest Florida (18-0; 2-0) and #6 Chipola (20-0; 2-0), two of only three undefeated teams in D1 NJCAA Women's basketball will meet to determine who leads the Panhandle Conference after the first round of play. The teams occupy the top two slots in the FCSAA/Region VIII Coaches' Poll.

Both teams had games postponed earlier this week due to snow and icy conditions throughout the panhandle. Those games will be made up on Monday, March 3.

GAME INFORMATION

Time: 5:15 PM CST

Location: Milton H. Johnson Health Center – Marianna, Florida

Admission: $10 Adults; $5 for K-12 & College students (Chipola College students admitted free with ID)

• Tonight is Jackson Hospital Night at The Milt. Hospital Employees with their badge can get free admission for themselves and one guest at the front door of the Milton H. Johnson Center.

Streaming: #6 Chipola vs. #1 Northwest Florida

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

The Raiders ascended to the top spot in the NJCAA after previously unbeaten and #1 Hutchinson Community College lost last Saturday to #3 Dodge City Community College. NWF defeated #20 Pensacola on the road, 76-53, to remain undefeated on the season. Sophomore guard, Mekhia Chase, leads the Raiders in scoring with 12.8 ppg.

GAME NOTES

• The last time Chipola defeated the Raiders at The Milt was on January 22, 2022. The Lady Indians took down #1 NWF that night, 52-50.
• The Lady Indians snapped an 8-game losing streak to the Raiders the last time the two rivals met. Chipola defeated #4 Northwest Florida, 62-56, in Raider Arena on February 17, 2024.
• The winner of Saturday's meeting will own the longest active winning streak in D1 NJCAA Women's Basketball. Chipola is currently in the lead at 20 games and the Raiders are right behind them with 18.
• Kanija Daniels is currently 4^th in the NJCAA in points per game. Her 21.3 average is tops in the FCSAA.
• Chipola is 4^th in the NJCAA in points per game at 86.3. The Lady Indians lead the nation in free throws made per game (18.9), free throws attempted per game (27.1), defensive rebounds per game (37.9), and total rebounds per game (57.2).
• The Raiders lead the country in points per game allowed. They are only allowing their opponents 43.2 points per outing. They also are tops in Opponents' free throw attempts at 18.2.