Box Score WINTER HAVEN – Polk State Basketball kicked off the month of February with a total team effort on Wednesday night in a 92-81 victory over Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Nine different players scored for the Eagles (8-14, 3-5 Central Conference), including four in double figures. With the win, Polk State clinched the season series over the BlueWave.
"We needed a feel-good win and I think we got it," Polk State Head Coach
Brandon Giles said. "(FSCJ Head Coach Frank Burnell)'s team is always a tough team that competes. Any time you can win and have a lot of guys play well and contribute, it's a great feeling."
George Pridgett led the way for Polk State on Wednesday night with 27 points on an efficient 9-for-17 shooting and 6-for-10 from deep.
Rod Jones set the tone, scoring all 16 of his points in the first half while finishing with a team-high six assists.
The Eagles seized control midway through the first half and took a 42-30 lead in the locker room. The BlueWave used an 8-0 run that spanned the end of the opening half and start of the second to close to within seven early in the second half. Polk State responded with an 11-2 run and from there, the contest was never closer than 12 points until the final minute.
Polk State tied a season-high with 14 made 3-pointers but shot just 37% for the game. On the glass, however, Polk State was relentless. The Eagles finished with a 58-36 rebounding advantage.
Ashton Howard scored 11 points, including nine in the second half, to go along with a career-high 18 rebounds.
AJ Hamrick added 10 boards in the victory.
Dominick Nelson also had a big second half in which he scored all 12 of his points.
Tarence Guinyard led the way for the BlueWave with a game-high 36 points. Joshua Paige added 15 points in the loss.
Following the victory, Polk State will remain home for a Saturday matinee against Santa Fe College. The Eagles will look to win consecutive games for the first time since winning four straight in November.
"We're going to try to make it two in a row," Giles added. "We haven't had that feeling in a long time. At the end of the season, you want to be playing your best basketball."
