Northwest Florida Gears Up for Another National Title Run

NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship – Second Round

(19) Wallace State-Hansville vs. (3) Northwest Florida State

March 27, 2025 | 5:45 p.m. (CDT) | Casper, WY | Ford Wyoming Center

Links: Watch ($) | Live Stats | Bracket

CASPER, Wyo. — March is here, and for Northwest Florida State women's basketball, that means one thing—another opportunity to chase a national championship. The Raiders have cemented themselves as one of the premier programs in the NJCAA, capturing two national titles in the past five seasons and finishing as the national runner-up just a year ago. Now, they are back in Casper, determined to finish what they started.

Their journey begins on Thursday in the second round of the NJCAA DI Basketball Championship, where the No. 3-seeded Raiders will take on the 19 Seed Wallace State-Hansville at 5:45 p.m. (CDT) at the Ford Wyoming Center.

Watch the Action

Fans can catch all the action this week, including Thursday's matchup, live on ESPN+ with a paid subscription. For those without a subscription, several watch parties in Niceville will be streaming the game:

The Preserve Bluewater Taproom
2000 Bluewater Blvd, Niceville, FL 32578

Schooners Dockside Restaurant and Oyster Bar
290 Yacht Club Dr, Niceville, FL 32578

Bouncing Back from Adversity

Northwest Florida enters the tournament looking to rebound from one of its toughest outings in recent memory—a 58-41 loss to No. 1 Chipola in the FCSAA State Championship Game. That defeat was uncharacteristic for a team that had dominated all season, as the Raiders posted a season-low 25.0% field goal percentage while committing 19 turnovers. The loss also marked the first time all year that the Raiders failed to win a game when holding their opponent under 60 points, a testament to how crucial offensive efficiency is to their success.

Despite the setback, this team has proven time and again that it knows how to respond to adversity. Under head coach Bart Walker, the Raiders have built a reputation for resilience, not losing back-to-back games since the 2022 season. That year, they suffered consecutive losses to Trinity Valley (Nov. 26) and Eastern Florida (Dec. 2)—only to meet both teams again in the postseason. Though they fell to Eastern Florida in the FCSAA Championship, they got their revenge on the biggest stage, defeating Trinity Valley 66-63 to claim their second national title.

A Battle-Tested Squad with Championship Experience

This season's squad is a strong mix of seasoned returners and promising newcomers, creating a well-rounded team built for a deep tournament run. The Raiders brought back six players from last year's national runner-up squad, including 2024 NJCAA All-Tournament selection Deborah Davenport, who was instrumental in their championship push. Alongside her, Mekhia Chase, Nevaeh Scott, and Kyla McBride have provided veteran leadership, each earning All-Panhandle Conference First Team honors this season. Scott and Chase also received All-FCSAA recognition, highlighting their impact on both ends of the floor.

The blend of experience and fresh talent has fueled the Raiders' dominant 28-3 overall record this season. They stormed out of the gates, winning 18 straight games before suffering their first loss to Chipola in mid-January. Undeterred, they bounced back to defeat the Indians twice in the regular season, securing the No. 1 overall seed in the FCSAA State Tournament before ultimately falling to Chipola in the championship game.

The Raiders' success has come against some of the toughest competition in the country. According to Massey Ratings, Northwest Florida has played the second-hardest schedule in the nation. This battle-tested resume includes nine victories over teams that were ranked at the time or are currently ranked, featuring two wins against No. 1 seed Chipola and No. 12 seed Florida Southwestern. Their ability to consistently perform against elite opponents proves they are more than ready for the challenges ahead in Casper.

Scouting The Lions

The Lions enter the National Tournament following a historic season, finishing with a 28-4 record and claiming their first ACCC (Region 22) Championship in 14 years. This victory secured their first national tournament appearance since 2020. Two of Wallace State's four losses came against conference rival Shelton State, which was ranked sixth in the final national poll and enters the tournament as the No. 8 seed. However, the Lions turned the tide in the ACCC Championship, overcoming a double-digit second-half deficit to defeat Shelton and punch their ticket to Casper.

The Lions advanced to Thursday's matchup against the Raiders after defeating No. 14 seed Murray State 62-46 in the first round on Tuesday. Wallace State shot 44.4% from the field, knocked down seven three-pointers, and controlled the boards with a +10 rebounding advantage. Kameron Sanders led the way with 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting while also grabbing eight rebounds. Idaysia Mercer contributed 17 points, shooting 6-of-16 from the field, in a strong all-around performance for the Lions.

Wallace State is a well-rounded team, averaging just over 70 points per game while holding opponents to just 45, ranking second in the nation in scoring defense. The Lions are a dangerous perimeter shooting team, ranking in the top 10 nationally in three-pointers made (10.3) and attempted (30.3) per game while converting at an efficient 33.9% clip, good for 15th in the country.

Leading the charge offensively is Kallie Tinker, who averages 14 points per game while shooting 40.4% from the field and an impressive 40.7% from beyond the arc. Kameron Sanders provides a strong second option, averaging 11.7 points per game on 47.7% shooting, while also contributing 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Nylaa Fuller anchors the team's rebounding efforts, averaging 8.5 boards per game, while also providing an offensive spark when needed, reaching double figures in scoring eight times this season.

Looking Ahead

The winner of this game will move on to the Elite Eight on Saturday, March 20, at 5:45 p.m. If the Raiders advance, it would mark their third consecutive Elite Eight appearance and the sixth under head coach Bart Walker. Their opponent would be determined by the outcome of Friday's Game 16 matchup between No. 7 Three Rivers and the winner of the first-round showdown between defending champion No. 11 Hutchinson and No. 22 South Georgia Tech.

A Championship Mentality

As the Raiders begin their fourth consecutive NJCAA Tournament run, they do so with a singular focus: finishing the job. The sting of last year's overtime loss in the National Championship Game against Hutchinson has lingered, fueling their motivation all season. Now, with a battle-tested squad and a history of overcoming obstacles, they have their eyes set on cutting down the nets once again in Casper.