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Raiders Return to Action Saturday to Host Pensacola
Posted: Feb 20, 2026

Raiders Return to Action Saturday to Host Pensacola

 

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Following a weeklong break, both Northwest Florida men's and women's basketball return to action this Saturday as they get set to host Pensacola State for the third and final time this season.

The women are on a hot streak having won five straight games and currently sit alone in first place in the conference. The team has also clinched their ninth straight postseason berth and now look to secure their eighth-straight conference title.

The men in the middle of a four-team conference battle with their postseason hopes hanging in the balance—the next three games will be pivotal. The good news is, the Raiders still control their own destiny. Coming off a loss to Tallahassee, the Raiders will look to get back on track against the Pirates Saturday.

 

Game Information

February 21, 2026
Location: Niceville, FL | Raider Arena
Live Stream Link

Women (2:00 p.m.)

No. 3 Northwest Florida (21-3, 7-2) vs. Pensacola (15-12, 2-8)

Men (4:00 p.m.)

No. 11 Northwest Florida (22-5, 5-4) vs. Pensacola (15-13, 2-8)

  

WOMEN'S GAME NOTES

Last Week: Northwest Florida extended its winning streak to five games with a pair victory over #13 Gulf Coast and Tallahassee State. The Raiders used a later fourth quarter surge to beat Gulf Coast Wednesday night. Jadah White and Khoudia Diagne led the way. White notched 16 points, on 5-for-13 shooting, while Diagne produced 15 points, nine rebounds, four steals and a block. The Raiders capped off the week with a road win at Tallahassee State, securing their ninth straight postseason berth in the process. 

This Week: The Raiders return home for a single game Saturday against Pensacola State. The Raiders beat the Pirates convincingly in each of the first two meetings, the first being a 65-49 win in Niceville, and the second being a 55-36 win at Pensacola.

The Opponent: The Pirates snapped their seven-game losing streak on Wednesday with a home win over Tallahassee State, putting them at 2-8 in conference play. The team is led by the veteran guard duo of Tamaya Hutchinson and Cassidy Gladney. Hutchinson leads the team in scoring with 14.5 points per game, with Gladney following at 13.5 points per game.

NWF by the Numbers: Northwest Florida features one of the country's elite defenses, allowing just 47.8 points per game — the second-lowest mark nationally — while holding opponents to 22.1 percent shooting from three. Offensively, the Raiders average 72.6 points per game and rank second nationally in field goal percentage (49.0%) and 20th in three-point percentage (32.9%).

Magic Number Two: With the Raiders' postseason spot firmly secured, the attention now shifts to winning their eighth-straight conference championship. Two wins guarantees the Raiders a share of the conference crown. They can win the conference outright by winning out, or win  their next two matchups and hope for a Chipola loss next Wednesday.

 

MEN'S GAME NOTES

Last Week: Northwest Florida split a pair of game last week, taking down #3 Gulf Coast at home, 84-74, before falling to #7 Tallahassee on the road 73-69. Jonas Nichols powered the Raiders offense in the Wednesday win over the Commodores posting a career-high 25 points. In the loss, the Raiders and Eagles went back-and-forth for 40 minutes with the Eagles getting the last laugh in the final moments of the game, pulling away and earning the victory and season sweep of the Raiders.

This Week: The Raiders return home for a pivotal home matchup against Pensacola State. The Raiders took each of their first two meetings against the Pirates, with the first being an overtime win in Niceville, 73-69. The second game was not close as the Raiders stormed into Pensacola and took a dominant 29-point win (75-46).

The Opponent: The Pirates are in the midst of a brutal eight-game losing streak after opening conference play 2-0. They nearly upset #9 Tallahassee Wednesday night, taking the Eagles to overtime, but could not get over the hump as they fall out of postseason contention. The team is led by Deven Bates who has been one of the top scorers in Florida, averaging 19.8 points per game. Sean Owens (12.7), and Ethan McDonald (11.2) also provide offensive spark for the Pirates.

NWF By the Numbers: Northwest Florida has been one of the NJCAA's most efficient offensive teams, averaging 83.4 points per game while shooting 51.7 percent from the field (5th nationally) and 39.1 percent from three-point range (7th). The Raiders have topped the 100-point mark six times this season and scored 90 or more in 12 contests. Northwest Florida has also excelled in tight games, posting an 8–3 record in contests decided by fewer than 10 points.

Down to the Wire: The Panhandle has been no joke this season, with four of the five teams sitting in the NJCAA top-15. With only three bids to the FCSAA State Tournament, one team will be left on the couch while the other three compete for a Region Championship. Currently, Tallahassee and Chipola sit atop of the conference, a half game up of Northwest Florida and Gulf Coast. The next three games for the Raiders could be make-or-break if they want a shot at playing in March and compete for a State and National Championship.