Box Score WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Polk State Basketball bridged what was a 55-point loss to Florida SouthWestern State College on Nov. 29 to an intense battle on Thursday night inside the Health Center. The Eagles ultimately dropped the contest to the Buccaneers 83-77.

Polk State (5-9) suffered its first home loss of the season at the hands of FSW (9-4) in what was also the Eagles' final non-conference game of the regular season.

Lights-out shooting by the Buccaneers forced the Eagles to battle from behind for the majority of the first half. FSW went 15-for-27 (55.6%) from the field, including 4-for-8 from the perimeter over the first 20 minutes of action.

Despite the efforts of FSW, the Eagles never trailed by more than 12 in the first half and were able to end the first half on an 8-0 run to trim the deficit to 40-34 entering the locker room. 

Sophomore sensation George Pridgett was a major factor in the Eagles keeping pace with the Buccaneers, scoring 15 of his game-leading 27 points in the first half. Pridgett was also 6-for-6 from the field in the opening half.

FSW was able to open its largest lead of the night in the second half, leading Polk 64-51 with 9:38 remaining. However, the resilient Eagles responded with a 20-10 run to trim it to 74-71 with 2:52 to go in the contest. Seven different Eagles scored during that run.

A free throw by Rod Jones brought the Eagles within two (77-75) with 1:11 to go. A steal on the FSW inbound pass by Jeremiah Russell set up a game-tying jumper attempt by Pridgett that was just off the mark and resulted in the Buccaneers being able to ultimately close out the contest at the free throw line.

Pridgett was joined in double figures by sophomore center AJ Hamrick, who totaled 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting in the start. Jones totaled seven points and a team-high four assists. Sophomore forward Ashton Howard hauled in a team-best six rebounds and scored seven. Sophomore center Naadhir Wood scored eight points, brought in five boards, and added a block.

"I am pleased with the way my team fought and battled," said Polk State Head Coach Brandon Giles. "We are getting better and will be battle tested for the conference schedule, which matters most."

Polk will return in 2023 to commence Central Conference play. Up first, the Eagles host Eastern Florida State College on Saturday Jan. 7. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.