Pirates Top the Eagles in Overtime Thriller

The Pirates travelled over to Tallahassee on Wednesday and found themselves in yet another Panhandle Conference thriller.

Pirates Top the Eagles in Overtime Thriller
February 20, 2025

Pensacola State 79  Tallahassee State College 78 (OT)

The Pirates travelled over to Tallahassee on Wednesday and found themselves in yet another Panhandle Conference thriller. However, it would be the Eagles of Tallahassee State and not the Pirates that would be on the receiving end of heartbreak this time.

The Pirates established a 55-45 lead headed into the fourth, yet found themselves trailing the Eagles 68-64 with just 15.5 seconds remaining in regulation.

With relentless determination the Pirates were able to force back-to-back turnovers in the closing seconds. Talia Kemp was able to steal an Eagles inbound pass with 13.6 remaining and advanced it the length of the floor to draw a foul at the basket with just 4.8 left to play. Kemp converted two foul shot attempts to bring the Pirates within 68-66. On the ensuing possession, the stiffened Pirate defense forced a deflection off of an Eagle that landed out of bounds, giving control to the Pirates with 2.9 left to play. A well-designed sideline out of bounds lob play to Jaida McDonald resulted in a foul, sending McDonald to the charity stripe for two attempts to potentially tie. Like Kemp on the attempts prior, McDonald got both to go and forced overtime.

In the additional period, the two teams battled back and forth when the Eagles got a huge 3-point basket from Cienna Thigpen to knot the game at 78-78 with 9.2 seconds remaining. On the Pirates next and final possession, Audreonia Benson was fouled while shooting with 1.4 seconds remaining. Benson converted on 1-of-2 attempts giving the Pirates the 79-78 edge and much needed conference win.

Katiya Casey led the way for the Pirates with 21 points including five 3-pointers. McDonald had 16, Benson 15, and Kemp 13 to join Casey in double-figures.

Thigpen led the Eagles with 19 points.

Up Next:

Pensacola State will host No.2 Northwest Florida State on February 22, 2025, at the Hartsell Arena. The Pirates need wins in the remaining two conference matches to keep Region 8 Tournament hopes alive.