Box Score MIAMI – It took a gritty effort and a last-second free throw, but Polk State Basketball may have kept its FCSAA Tournament hopes alive on Wednesday night with a thrilling 63-62 victory over Miami Dade College. Dominick Nelson knocked down a free throw with 0.8 seconds left as the Eagles completed the season sweep of the Sharks.

Polk State (12-11, 3-6 Citrus Conference) didn't spend a lot of time in the lead on Wednesday but continued to battle. The Eagles trailed 26-15 early but used a 19-6 run to take the lead. A basket by the Sharks late in the first half sent the teams to the locker room deadlocked at 34.

In the second half, Polk State trailed by as many as six points but again responded – this time with a 12-0 run. After a driving layup from Nelson tied the game at 52, back-to-back steals and lay-ins by Ty Owens gave the Eagles a 56-52 lead. A step-back jumper by Nelson from just inside the arc capped the run.

Polk State led by as many as seven points, but Miami Dade was able to get to the free throw line to cut into the lead. After Derrick Jones Jr. missed the front end of a 1-and-1 for the Eagles, John Latimer converted a pair of free throws to draw the Sharks even at 62 with 14.5 seconds left.

Following a Polk State timeout, the ball went to Nelson, who drew contact as he went down on a missed jumper with less than a second remaining. After a brief discussion as to whether Nelson was behind the 3-point line or not, the sophomore was awarded two free throws. Nelson calmly made the first before intentionally missing the second.

Nelson paced Polk State with 22 points in the win. Moses Gordon provided a huge lift with 10 points and eight rebounds. Malachi Stevens added nine points.

Latimer paced the Sharks with 21 points. Alaaeddine Boutayeb added 19 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Polk State shot 46% while holding Miami Dade to just 33% from the field. The Eagles, however, were a dismal 2-for-19 from deep and shot 11 fewer free throws, making 10 fewer, than the Sharks.

"This was a great, gritty win," Head Coach Brandon Giles said. "I thought our defense was the best it's been all year tonight."

Wednesday's victory over Miami Dade gives Polk State the season sweep and the tiebreaker in the race for an FCSAA Tournament spot should the teams finish with identical Citrus Conference records. Polk State also eclipsed last season's win total.

The Eagles will look to avenge an early-conference loss to Hillsborough Community College when the schools meet on Saturday in Winter Haven. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.