Box Score GAINESVILLE — A change of scenery proved to be no issue for Polk State Basketball. After consecutive home routs to open the season, the Eagles wrapped up a perfect two-day Santa Fe Classic with an 87-79 victory over Andrew College on Saturday.
Polk State used a 16-3 run to break a 69-69 tie and seize control late in the contest.
Cole White's layup with 6:05 remaining put the Eagles ahead for good.
White,
Justin Daniels, and
Dominick Nelson would all convert 3-point plays during the run. Nelson scored the final seven points to cap the run.
Nelson led the Eagles with 24 points while White added 21 points in the victory.
Ty Owens finished with 14 points.
Polk State started strong.
Jeremiah Russell and Nelson each scored five points during a 10-3 run early on. The Eagles led by as many as 10 in the first half and 35-29 at the break.
The Fighting Tigers closed to within one early in the second half but White responded with 12 straight Polk State points to create some breathing room. Andrew took its first lead on a fast-break basket midway through the second half. Over a four-minute stretch midway through the half, there were four ties and five lead changes.
The free throw line proved to be an ally for the Eagles on Saturday. As a team, Polk State shot 23-for-31 from the charity stripe. Nelson got to the line 17 times, making 12 free throws.
"I'm glad we were able to get the win," Head Coach Brandon Giles said. "There's a lot this young team will have to learn if we want to beat really good teams and eventually hang a banner."
With the victory, Polk State is 4-0 for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Polk State will begin the South Georgia State College Shootout on Friday against East Georgia State College.
