The FSCJ BlueWave women's basketball team faced the undefeated and current defending NJCAA National Champion Tallahassee Community College (TCC) on Tuesday night.
In their fourth straight home game of the season, the BlueWave started the game securing the tip; giving them the first opportunity on the offensive end. The first five minutes of play saw a strong defensive focus by both teams. FSCJ was solid in working their half-court man to man defense, while TCC pressed full court forcing FSCJ into passing errors that resulted in turnovers. A determined BlueWave team began to break the press and drive the lanes causing the Eagles of TCC to foul. Made freethrows helped to keep FSCJ within reach as the first quarter came to an end 12-22. The second quarter saw a more aggressive Eagles team that managed to hold the BlueWave to just four points in ten minutes of play. That 4-15 run by TCC brought the halftime score to 16-37.
Sophomore Monique Bryant hit the first shot to open the third quarter in an effort to spark her BlueWave team offensively. TCC answered with an increased tempo which caused FSCJ issues forcing turnovers. The Eagles took advantage of the struggling BlueWave and converted on transition layups continuing their offensive presence. The BlueWave answered back with continued drives to lane sending them to the freethrow line to pick up points from the charity stripe ending the third quarter run 14-23. TCC's continued strength showed on the boards limiting the BlueWave to one shot on the offensive end into the fourth quarter. FSCJ answered back with a more controlled offense leading to a higher field goal percentage and less rebounding opportunities for the Eagles keeping them within reach the final quarter with just a nine point difference. Unfortunately, FSCJ's first half offensive performance caught up to them in the end with a final score of 47-86 in favor of TCC.
FSCJ BlueWave returner Monique Bryant led all scorers with 17 points going 5-13 from the floor, 1-2 from the three point line and 46 from the freethrow line. Mariah Preston battled on the boards to finish with 9 points and 13 rebounds just shy of another double-double performance. Preston currently leads the Mid-Florida Conference and Region 8 in rebounding.
The BlueWave will play Pensacola on Saturday November 17th at 2:00 p.m. FSCJ will honoring military personnel with a "Military Appreciation Day"