Basketball Game Preview: Pensacola Tigers vs. Escambia Gators

The Pensacola Tigers just played yesterday, but they'll still head out to face the Escambia Gators at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Given that both suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this game.

It was a proper cat-fight when Pensacola took on Foley on Thursday. Pensacola lost to Foley on the road by a 41-23 margin. While losing is never fun, the Tigers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 363rd in Florida, while the Lions are ranked 100th in Alabama).

Noah Jones was Pensacola's leading scorer, having posted five points. Jabari Epps took the lead distributing the ball, coming up with two assists.

Meanwhile, Escambia suffered their closest loss since January 30th last Tuesday. They fell just short of Navarre by a score of 45-43. The Gators haven't had much luck with the Raiders recently, as the team's come up short the last two times they've met.

Pensacola will have to keep a close watch on Tae Gaston and Roycen Jones, a pair of players who had a big impact on Escambia's prior game. Gaston dropped a double-double on ten points and ten rebounds, while Jones posted 12 points and three steals. That's the most points Gaston has posted since back in December of 2023.

Escambia's defeat dropped their record down to 1-4. As for Pensacola, they have been struggling recently as they've lost three of their last four matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 3-4 record this season.

Pensacola came up short against Escambia when the teams last played back in January, falling 45-33. Can Pensacola avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.