Box Score BRADENTON, Fla.- The Polk basketball came overcame a double-digit deficit in both halves on Thanksgiving Day to ultimately surpass the Georgia Highlands Chargers 64-55 in their first game of the Manatee Classic. The win was the fourth-straight win of the season, with all four victories coming by single digits.

"What a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving with a win alongside your second family," shared Polk Head Coach Brandon Giles.

After an evenly matched start to the contest which saw the Eagles leading the Chargers 11-10, Georgia Highlands rattled off a 11-0 run to take a 21-11 lead with 8:07 to go in the first half. However, the Eagles responded with a 13-2 run of their own to regain the advantage 24-23 with 3:11 remaining in the half. Sophomore captain George Pridgett was responsible for seven of those 13 points on the Polk run.

The back-and-forth affair continued between the Eagles and the Chargers with Georgia Highlands taking a 30-28 advantage into the locker room at halftime. Pridgett and sophomore center Naadhir Wood paced Polk with a team-high seven points each in the first half.

The Chargers opened the second half with their second major run of the contest, outscoring the Eagles 13-4 to take a 43-32 lead with 14:58 to go.

Polk had the retaliation once again, as the Eagles rattled off a staggering 13-0 run in which six different players for Polk scored. An AJ Hamrick layup gave Polk its first lead of the second half 45-43 with 8:07 remaining in regulation.

"I am really proud of the poise and maturity we showed down the stretch," added Coach Giles. "It's not easy to overcome two big deficits like that, but we're built Polk Tough!"

After earning a 56-51 lead with 2:27 to go, the Eagles were able to build more separation at the free throw line, going 6-8 at the charity strip to earn a 61-51 lead with 1:19 remaining and put the game out of reach for the Chargers.

Pridgett and Wood tied for the team lead in scoring at 11 each. Sophomore guard Alex Vertus and freshman guard Dominik Nelson each had 10 points for Polk.

The Eagles look to make it five-straight victories on Saturday, as they conclude play in the Manatee Classic versus Gordon State. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.