New College of Florida Women's Basketball opened its season with a 63-45 victory over Andrew College on Friday night, outscoring the Fighting Tigers 21-7 in the fourth quarter at the Warner WBB Sunny Southern Classic.
Alexa Titherington led the Mighty Banyans with 17 points in her collegiate debut, scoring 13 in the final quarter. She added six rebounds and two blocks while going 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.
Aissa Diallo finished with 16 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists in her first game back after missing the entire 2025-26 season due to injury.
Julia Pacheco contributed 11 points, five assists and two blocks, while Gwen Tsoukalas added 10 points. Geriya Grady led NCF with seven rebounds and matched Diallo with three steals.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trinity Harden scored NCF's first basket of the season on a putback layup just under a minute into the game.
The Mighty Banyans held a 12-10 advantage after the opening quarter, with Diallo scoring five points and Kaitlyn Rittenhouse adding a 3-pointer off the bench.
NCF extended its lead in the second quarter before Andrew closed within two late in the half. Tsoukalas answered with a 3-pointer off a Pacheco assist with six seconds remaining, sending the Mighty Banyans into halftime ahead 25-20.
Andrew opened the third quarter with seven consecutive points to take a 27-25 lead. Tsoukalas responded with another 3-pointer, and the teams traded the lead before Titherington scored her first collegiate basket on a layup with 6:42 remaining.
Titherington added another layup on NCF's next possession. After Andrew tied the score at 32, Pacheco converted a three-point play to put the Mighty Banyans back in front.
Tsoukalas and Diallo added layups as NCF built a seven-point advantage. Andrew stayed within reach, and the Mighty Banyans entered the fourth quarter leading 42-38.
With NCF ahead 43-40, Titherington knocked down a 3-pointer to begin an 11-0 run. Diallo followed with two free throws before Titherington blocked a shot, collected the rebound and scored through a foul at the other end. Her free throw completed the three-point play.
Pacheco added a free throw and a jumper to extend the lead to 54-40 with 6:37 remaining.
Andrew cut the margin to nine, but NCF scored the final nine points of the game. Titherington made four free throws and another 3-pointer before Diallo closed the scoring with two free throws.
The Mighty Banyans held Andrew to 2-of-15 shooting in the fourth quarter.
THE TURNING POINT
Titherington sparked NCF's 11-0 fourth-quarter run with a 3-pointer at the 8:36 mark.
Less than a minute later, she blocked an Andrew attempt, secured the rebound and converted a three-point play. The stretch helped turn a three-point lead into a 54-40 advantage, giving the Mighty Banyans control of the game.
BY THE NUMBERS
17
Points scored by Titherington in her collegiate debut, including 13 in the fourth quarter.
16
Points for Diallo in her return after missing the 2025-26 season due to injury.
7
Points allowed by NCF in the fourth quarter.
11
Steals recorded by the Mighty Banyans, led by three apiece from Diallo and Grady.
16
Second-chance points scored by NCF.
STAT LEADERS
Points: Alexa Titherington - 17; Aissa Diallo - 16; Julia Pacheco - 11; Gwen Tsoukalas - 10
Rebounds: Geriya Grady - 7; Alexa Titherington - 6; Trinity Harden - 5
Assists: Julia Pacheco - 5; Aissa Diallo - 2; Geriya Grady - 2
Steals: Aissa Diallo - 3; Geriya Grady - 3; Kaitlyn Rittenhouse - 2
Blocks: Julia Pacheco - 2; Alexa Titherington - 2
UP NEXT: NCF will face Thomas University (1-2) at 4 p.m. Saturday on the second day of the Warner WBB Sunny Southern Classic in Lake Wales.
