VINCENNES, Ind. (Interstat) — In a stunning upset on the road, the Northwest Florida State Raiders defeated the Vincennes Trailblazers 76-62 in a men’s junior college basketball game Tuesday night.

The Raiders, improving to 24-7, handed the Trailblazers only their third loss of the season against 27 victories, overcoming significant odds as statistical models heavily favored Vincennes entering the contest.

The most decisive phase of the game was a blistering first-quarter performance by Northwest Florida State, which set the tone for the evening. The Raiders erupted for 32 points in the opening period, fueled by a remarkable shooting display from guard Damarion Vann-Kelly. The star guard scored 15 of his game-high 30 points in the first quarter, connecting on four 3-pointers during the early barrage. This offensive explosion gave the Raiders a six-point lead after one quarter, an advantage they would never relinquish.

Vincennes, led by Dayton Williams’s 27 points and nine rebounds, struggled to match Northwest Florida State’s efficiency throughout the night. The Raiders shot 46.7% from the field and a sharp 43.5% from 3-point range, while the Trailblazers managed only 40% shooting overall. Northwest Florida State also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 10 of 12 attempts compared to Vincennes’s 7 of 11.

The Raiders’ offensive rating of 119.3 points per 100 possessions starkly outperformed the Trailblazers’ 98.1, highlighting the gap in offensive execution. Despite Vincennes holding a slight 34-33 edge in total rebounds, Northwest Florida State’s shot-making proved superior.

After building a 32-26 lead through one quarter, the Raiders maintained their composure in the second. They extended their lead by outscoring Vincennes 44-36 after halftime, consistently answering any attempt by the Trailblazers to mount a sustained run. Key contributions came from Braylon Roman, who added 16 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Jonas Nichols, who chipped in 14 points.

For Vincennes, Williams received support from Jalen Calloway, who scored 17 points, and Drae Vasser, who added 12. Micheal Ephraim controlled the glass with 12 rebounds but was limited to just four points. The Trailblazers could not overcome the early deficit, as the Raiders’ lead never dipped below double digits for the entire second half.

The victory marks a significant resume-building win for Northwest Florida State, which had alternated wins and losses in its recent games. For Vincennes, the defeat is a rare blemish on an otherwise dominant season, snapping a three-game winning streak.