Raiders Make Statement with 88-83 Win Over #3 Daytona State

NICEVILLE, Fla. – The stage was set for a thrilling Saturday night clash as two Region VIII powerhouses faced off, each eager to make an early-season statement with a top-10 win. Fans were treated to a nail-biting game where #6 Northwest Florida State edged out #3 Daytona State by five points—a satisfying outcome for the Raiders, especially after the Falcons' victory over them in the same building last season.

The game was a gritty, back-and-forth contest, with both teams fighting fiercely for every possession. The Raiders' athleticism and offensive firepower proved decisive, as they shot an impressive 56% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. Northwest Florida dominated the paint with 48 points and added 21 fast-break points, along with a strong contribution of 35 points from their bench.

Dwayne Pierce led the Raiders' bench with a standout 21-point performance, while Curtis Williams, who started for the team, scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Braylon Roman and Nathan Ojukwu also made significant contributions, combining for 23 points with Roman scoring 13 and Ojukwu adding 10.

The Raiders held a solid offensive rhythm in the first half, securing a 45-37 lead at the break. They maintained their momentum in the second half, hitting 60% of their shots compared to 53% in the first half. Although Daytona State managed to outscore Northwest Florida by three points in the latter half, timely defensive plays and key rebounds allowed the Raiders to fend off any comeback attempts, translating into crucial fast break points down the stretch.

This well-rounded victory pushes Northwest Florida to a 4-0 record for the season, marking their first statement win with a victory over an NJCAA top 5 team. The Raiders will now hit the road for a five-game stretch starting next week with a pair of games in New Rochelle, N.Y. against Harcum and Monroe. Northwest Florida will be back at Raider Arena December 3 for another date against Southern Union, who they defeated last night, 93-52.

FIRST HALF

• The game began with a quick exchange of points. Northwest Florida took an early lead with several successful plays, including layups and free throws.
• Daytona State managed to keep up, with players like Mendy and I. Dorceus making significant contributions.
• As the first half continued, both teams demonstrated strong offensive and defensive skills. Falcons' Placer and Lacey attempted three-point shots but had mixed success.
• Northwest Florida's Pierce and Williams were prominent in both scoring and rebounds. Pierce made successful jump shots, while Williams added points with layups and even contributed with a three-pointer.
• Daytona State College struggled with turnovers, which Northwest Florida capitalized on, extending their lead further.
• Both teams utilized their benches, frequently substituting players to maintain stamina and adapt to each other's strategies. The Falcons called timeouts to recalibrate after key Raider scoring runs.
• Foul trouble began to impact both teams, with players like Placer from Daytona and Ojukwu from Northwest Florida accumulating fouls that occasionally led to turnovers or free throws.

SECOND HALF

• The Raiders made strong moves early, with successful dunks and layups by players like Ojukwu and Williams, pushing their lead to 49-37.
• Daytona State College responded with solid plays from Dorceus, who scored on a layup and a tip-in, narrowing their deficit to 49-41.
• Northwest Florida continued to dominate, with B. Roman hitting a three-pointer and Williams scoring multiple times, increasing their lead.
• Daytona's Placer and Dorceus managed several successful plays, including free throws and a three-pointer, to keep their team in the game.
• As the game progressed, Daytona struggled with missed shots, turnovers, and fouls, which allowed Northwest Florida to maintain their lead.
• Daytona's J. Payne made key layups, and H. Cuevas and T. Lacey assisted, but turnovers and blocked shots limited the Falcons momentum.
• The Raiders capitalized on Daytona's errors, with consistent scoring from Williams and Pierce, widening their lead to 76-69.
• In the final minutes, despite Daytona's continued attempts, Northwest Florida's defensive plays, including blocks and steals, helped secure the 88-83 victory.