Chipola Indians Advanced To State Tournament Semifinals

The No. 7 Indians had to overcome a slow start but went on to defeat the Polk State Eagles, 74-60 on Wednesday, March 2 and advanced to the semifinals of the FCSAA/Region VIII Tournament.

Following the last game of the regular season, the Indians had a two-week layoff, and it seemed to show during their game against Polk State on March 2. The Eagles jumped out to a 13-3 lead after seven and a half minutes of play.

The next seven and a half minutes would be a different story, as Chipola would begin to take control of the game. With eight minutes remaining in the first half, Nae'Qwan Tomlin gave the Indians the lead. After the 13-3 run by the Eagles, the Indians went on a 20-5 run of their own and never trailed in the game again.

With just over three minutes remaining in the half, the Eagles tied the score, 27-27. However, the Indians would regain control and close out the half on an 8-2 run. By the time they were heading into the locker room, the Indians led 35-29.

In the second half, Nae'Qwan Tomlin would take over the game. After a nine-point performance in the first half, Tomlin would make six of 11 shots in the second half, including two of four from beyond the arc, pushing his game total to 27. He also hauled in 11 rebounds for the game to finish with his second double-double of the season.

The Indians took their largest lead of the game with 7:38 remaining on a drive to the basket by Dontae Walker just before the shot clock expired. Walker also finished the game in double digits for the Indians with 15.

With just under three and a half minutes left in the game, the Eagles managed to cut the Chipola lead to 63-59.

Kris Gardner would end any threat of a comeback by ensuing possession with his second three of the night. With that three, the Indians closed out the game on an 11-1 run to preserve the win.

The Raiders (26-4) advanced with a 63-59 win over the No. 6 seed, Eastern Florida State. The Indians and the Raiders shared the Panhandle Conference Championship this season, although Chipola was given the higher seed after defeating the Raiders two out of three times this season.

The second seeded Indians will take on the three seed, Northwest Florida State on Friday, March 4 at 1 p.m. CT.