Box Score WINTER HAVEN – In a Central Conference battle of the birds, it was the No. 19 Daytona State College Falcons who soared highest on Wednesday night, topping Polk State, 97-83.

The Eagles (5-11, 0-2 Central) continued to scrap and battle back throughout the evening. In the end, Daytona State always had an answer.

Polk State started each half strong. The Eagles jumped to an early 15-9 lead to open the contest and maintained the lead for most of the opening half. An 18-2 run, however, allowed the Falcons to seize control.

Jordan Smalls scored 15 of his season-high 16 points in the first half to keep Polk State within striking distance. The Eagles trailed 43-33 at the break, but used three-pointers from George Pridgett and Ashton Howard to cut the deficit to 47-41 early in the second. That is as close as they would get.

For the second straight game, Rod Jones finished with 22 points to lead Polk State. Pridgett added 21 points in the loss. Howard and Dominick Nelson each finished with eight points for the Eagles.

Neither team shot a blistering percentage from the field, but Daytona State finished at nearly 42% for the night and made 13 three-pointers. Polk State shot less than 36% and was outrebounded 59-51.

Jacob Crews led the Falcons with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Josue Grullon added 17 points. Breylin Garcia narrowly missed recording a double-double, finishing with 15 points and nine rebounds in the win.

"We have to do a better job of believing in one another and in ourselves as individuals," Polk State Head Coach Brandon Giles said. "Once we form the trust and belief in oneself, we'll be able to compete at the level we need to."

Despite the loss, the 83 points equaled a season-high for Polk State. The Eagles will hit the road for the first time in Central Conference play on Saturday when they visit Florida State College at Jacksonville.