NICEVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — In a tense defensive struggle defined by second chances and missed opportunities, the Chipola Indians edged the Northwest Florida State Raiders 66-63 in a men’s junior college basketball game Friday night.

The victory, secured in the final seconds at the free-throw line, avenged a 15-point loss Chipola suffered on the same floor just two weeks prior and tightened the race near the top of the conference standings. Chipola improved to 23-7 overall, while Northwest Florida State fell to 22-7.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minute, a chaotic sequence of fouls and free throws that ultimately decided the outcome. With Chipola clinging to a narrow lead, the Raiders’ DJ Shine drew a foul and calmly sank two free throws with 14 seconds remaining to give Northwest Florida State a 63-61 advantage.

On the ensuing possession, Chipola’s Aaron Richard was fouled while attempting to tie the game. He stepped to the line with seven seconds on the clock and coolly made both free throws to knot the score at 63. Immediately after the inbounds pass, Chipola’s Demarco Middleton committed a foul, sending Shine back to the line with a chance to regain the lead with 14 seconds left.

Shine, who led all scorers with 17 points, missed both attempts. Chipola’s Hedrens Bartelus secured the defensive rebound and was fouled. He made the first free throw to put Chipola ahead 64-63 but missed the second. In the scramble for the rebound, Northwest Florida State’s Christian Reid was called for a foul, sending Richard back to the line with seven seconds left. Richard again delivered, sinking both shots to extend the lead to 66-63. The Raiders’ last-gasp three-point attempt missed as time expired.

The frantic finish capped a game where offensive execution was at a premium. Both teams struggled mightily from the field, with Chipola shooting 40% and Northwest Florida State managing just 35%. The Raiders were particularly ice-cold from beyond the arc, making only 3 of 20 attempts.

Chipola’s path to victory was paved on the glass. The Indians dominated rebounding, holding a 44-34 overall advantage and a critical 19-15 edge on the offensive boards. This relentless work generated extra possessions and helped offset a glaring discrepancy in ball security, as Chipola committed 12 turnovers to Northwest Florida State’s five.

Justin Burns was a force for the Raiders, posting a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. For Chipola, balance was key. Desmond Kent Jr. and Hedrens Bartelus each scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Aaron Richard added 10 points and seven boards. Yann Kouakou-Aphely also chipped in 10 points off the bench.

The game was a stark contrast to the teams’ previous meeting on Feb. 28, where Northwest Florida State controlled a 77-62 win. This time, Chipola’s defensive resolve and rebounding tenacity in the closing moments proved the difference in a pivotal late-season clash.