Women's basketball team falls in semifinals

The Eastern Florida State College women's basketball team fell short in the semifinals of the FCSAA Division I Tournament Friday afternoon in Niceville.

The Titans lost to No. 1 seed and host Northwest Florida State College 55-47 in the second semifinal. It is the fourth straight season that the Titans have reached the semifinals of the tournament.

Eastern Florida State College struggled to make shots throughout the game but stayed with the No. 1 team in the NJCAA Division I National Poll. The Titans showed why they are one of the top defensive teams in the state, holding a Northwest Florida State College that was averaging 68 points per game to 55 points.

The Titans cut the lead 31-27 late in the third quarter on a Karen Nimo basket but Northwest Florida State College responded with a quick 7-0 run to head into the fourth with a 38-27 lead.

Eastern Florida State College cut it to six again in the fourth quarter but could not hit the big shot to cut into the lead any further.

Silvia Otokhagua had 11 points and seven rebounds while Jalei O'Neal had 11 points and eight rebounds while Nimo had 10 points in the game.

The Titans finish the season 22-9 overall and will wait to see if they get an at-large bid to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament in Casper, Wyoming.