Box Score WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Polk State Basketball team suffered a second straight defeat in Citrus Conference play on Saturday afternoon inside the Health Center. Despite trailing by just five at the half, the Eagles fell to Indian River State College, 91-73.
 
The Eagles (10-10, 2-5 Citrus) never held a lead vs. the Pioneers (16-3, 3-3 Citrus).
 
The Pioneers got out to a quick start, leading by as many as nine within the first five minutes of play. However, Polk State kept finding a way to stay within striking distance throughout the first half.
 
Sophomore captain Dominick Nelson led the fight for the Eagles throughout the first half, leading the team with 11 points through the first 20 minutes of action. The Pioneers had three players with seven or more points in the first half, as they took a 41-36 lead into the locker room over Polk at halftime.
 
The second half was defined by a series of runs that ultimately landed in favor of the Pioneers. After IRSC opened the second half on an 11-2 run to grow their lead to 52-38, Polk responded with a 7-0 run to get within seven. However, Indian River went on to double up the Eagles with a 18-9 run to grow their advantage to 16 points and did not look back.
 
"We have to find a way to close things out in the second half," said Polk State Head Coach Brandon Giles. "Defensively, we needed to get more stops today than we did to remain competitive."
 
Nelson added 17 more in the second half to finish with 28 points. He was joined in double digits by freshman shooting guard Malachi Stevens, who scored 10.