Box Score TAMPA – After an exhilarating win in its Citrus Conference opener on Saturday, Polk State Basketball didn't have another comeback in it on Wednesday night. The Eagles dropped their first conference road game to Hillsborough Community College, 81-69.

The Hawks (13-2, 2-0 Citrus) used a 10-0 run late in the first half to go ahead for good on Wednesday. Hillsborough Community led 37-29 at the break.

Thanks to an 11-0 run, the Hawks watched that lead grow to as many as 19 points in the second half. Polk State (9-6, 1-1 Citrus) managed to get as close as seven points with two free throws from Ty Owens with 3:31 left but made no serious threat.

"Eighty percent of this game is about mental toughness and togetherness," Head Coach Brandon Giles said. "Right now, we are at 0% in those categories and it's obvious to our opponents watching film and our fans watching the games."

Leading scorer Dominick Nelson lived up to his title against Hillsborough with 20 points for the Eagles in the loss. Malachi Stevens came alive in the second half with 10 points to finish with 12 for the evening. Owens and Cole White each added 11 points in the defeat.

Now at the midway point in the regular season, Polk State remains winless in true road games. The Eagles will return home on Saturday to take on St. Petersburg College. Tip time is slated for 2 p.m.

"I still have faith in this group and am going to try my best to coach them up in practice," Giles added. "We're going to have to work hard and prepare the best we can for each of our opponents."