Northwest Florida Defeats #11 Southern Idaho 56-42, Improve to 5-0

NICEVILLE, Fla. – Northwest Florida State women's basketball team advanced to a 5-0 record Saturday night, securing a 56-42 victory over a strong Southern Idaho team.

The Raiders' scoring was led by Kyla McBride and Mekhia Chase, each with 11 points, and Jade Ondineme, who added 10. Together, they contributed 32 points. McBride also pulled down seven rebounds, second only to Deborah Davenport, the team's rebounding leader.

Northwest Florida outshot Southern Idaho, converting 49% of their field goal attempts compared to the Golden Eagles' 25%, and made 44% of their three-point shots. The Raiders slightly edged out Southern Idaho in rebounds, totaling 39, and tied with six steals apiece.

For the first time this season, the Raiders finished a quarter trailing, with Southern Idaho taking a 15-10 lead after the first. Northwest Florida rebounded in the second quarter, scoring 20 points and securing a six-point lead by halftime.

In the second half, Northwest Florida's defense held Southern Idaho to just three field goals in the third quarter and four in the fourth, allowing them to build a double-digit lead. Northwest Florida took advantage of the fastbreak in the second half as well, scoring 12 of their 15 fast break points in the final two quarters. The Raiders maintained their double-digit advantage until the final buzzer, achieving an impressive win over a top 15 opponent.

Looking ahead, the Raiders will participate in the FSW Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., facing Miami Dade and Florida Southwestern. This tournament marks the start of a six-game road stretch before the Raiders return to Raider Arena on December 7 to play against Jones College.

FIRST HALF

• The half began with turnovers and missed shots by both teams, including a missed jump shot by Ondineme of NWF and a turnover by Gillette of CSI.
• After a few more missed attempts, Garner of the College of Southern Idaho made a tip-in, giving them the first points of the game at 2-0.
• Northwest Florida State College responded with Mekhia Chase's layup to tie the score at 2-2.
• Following a series of substitutions and turnovers, Kamryn Corporan made a three-point shot, putting the Raiders ahead 5-2.
• CSI's Kasubuchi made a three, narrowing Northwest Florida's lead to 8-6.
• Both teams exchanged points, and Brown of the CSI eventually made a layup, putting her team up 17-14.
• Northwest Florida State College regained the lead, with K. McBride and J. Ondineme scoring multiple times to make it 26-20.
• The half ended with free throws from both teams, leaving Northwest Florida State College in the lead, with the score around 28-21.

SECOND HALF

• Allyson Ferguson made a layup at 8:39, increasing the Raiders' lead to 32-24. Shortly after, Chase commits a foul, leading to free throw points for Gillette (CSI).
• Davenport of Northwest Florida State College scores a layup at 7:09 with Chase assisting, bringing the score to 25-36.
• Southern Idaho's Stoker makes a layup at 6:43 and scores a free throw shortly afterward, bringing the score to 30-38.
• Raiders continued to widen their lead with Davenport's jump shot at 6:22, while Chase added two free throws, giving the Raiders a 38-34 lead.
• Both teams missed several shot attempts, and Northwest Florida State's Corporan and Ondineme made layups, increasing their lead to 46-30 by the end of the quarter.
• Ondineme made a layup off an assist from Corporan at 9:50 in the fourth.
• Chase scores a layup, giving Northwest Florida a 54-40 lead with 1:01 remaining. Corporan followed with a pair of made free throws, giving NWF their final total of 56.