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Raiders Open Panhandle Conference Play at Tallahassee State
Posted: Jan 09, 2026

Raiders Open Panhandle Conference Play at Tallahassee State

 

NICEVILLE, Fla. — A new year ushers in a new challenge for Northwest Florida State men's and women's basketball, as both teams open Panhandle Conference play with a road matchup at Tallahassee State on Saturday. The doubleheader marks the start of the annual 12-game conference slate and sets the tone for what promises to be one of the toughest league races in recent memory.

Game Information

January 10, 2026
Location: Bill Hebrock Eagledome | Tallahassee, Fla.
Live Stream Link

  • Women: No. 2 Northwest Florida at Tallahassee State — 1:00 p.m. (CST)
  • Men: No. 5 Northwest Florida at No. 14 Tallahassee State — 3:00 p.m. (CST)

 

Women's Preview

The Northwest Florida women enter conference play ranked No. 2 in the nation with a 14-1 record, their lone loss coming early in the season to Florida SouthWestern—a result they later avenged with a dominant 34-point victory. The Raiders have been elite on both ends of the floor, ranking 20th nationally in scoring (78.0 ppg), second in field goal percentage (52.7%), third in offensive efficiency (1.178), and second in points allowed (44.5 ppg).

Freshman standout Khoudia Diagne continues to anchor the lineup, leading the team in scoring (15.3 ppg), rebounding (8.1 rpg), and blocks (0.9 bpg), while also ranking second in field goal percentage (62.5%) and assists (3.1 apg). Fellow freshman Jadah White has also been instrumental, averaging 11.8 points per game with seven double-digit performances and pacing the team with 3.8 assists per contest.

Northwest Florida has dominated the series with Tallahassee State, winning 18 straight meetings dating back to 2019. The Eagles, however, enter the matchup playing some of their best basketball, winning six of their last seven games. Tallahassee boasts an efficient offense, shooting 46.6% from the floor and 35.5% from three—both top-15 marks nationally—led by Ashantay Noble (14.6 ppg), Kyana Poitier (13.1 ppg, 9.6 rpg), and Leanna Pabst (12.8 ppg).

 

Men's Preview

The Northwest Florida men rolled through non-conference play with a 17-1 record, outscoring opponents by an average of 15.6 points per game. The Raiders remain one of the nation's most potent offensive units, ranking sixth in total points (1,577), fifth in field goal percentage (53.3%), and 15th in three-point percentage (38.8%). They've eclipsed 100 points six times this season and scored 90 or more in 10 games.

With leading scorer DJ Shine sidelined due to injury, others have stepped up—most notably Justin Burns, who is averaging 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting a team-best 70.0% from the field. Burns has scored in double figures in 16 of 18 games and is averaging 17.0 points over his last seven outings.

Sophomore Braylon Roman has also elevated his play, averaging career highs across the board with 13.4 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Northwest Florida swept Tallahassee State in last season's three-game series and is 9-3 against the Eagles since 2022. Still, this Tallahassee squad may be the toughest yet, entering Saturday at 17-1 and ranked No. 14 nationally. The Eagles rank seventh in total points scored (1,569) and are led by Shane Cherry, who ranks fifth nationally in scoring at 19.4 points per game, alongside Rodmik Allen (13.2 ppg) and Elijah Guillory (11.6 ppg).