Box Score WINTER HAVEN — The story of this season's home contest against St. Petersburg College will be the same as last season's for Polk State Basketball. A dismal second half did in the Eagles on Saturday in an 80-70 loss.

Thanks to two free throws from Ty Owens and a layup from Cole White late in the first half, Polk State was able to take a 35-33 lead into the locker room. The second half, however, was all Titans.

The last lead for the Eagles (12-5, 0-3 Citrus Conference) was 40-38. After St. Pete split a pair of free throws, a jumper ignited a 25-10 run that put the Titans ahead to stay. From there, the game never got closer than 10.

St. Petersburg shot a blistering 65% in the second half and 52% for the game. Polk State, on the other hand, finished just 36% for the game, 34% in the second half, and just 6 of 23 from deep on the afternoon. Both teams shot 70% from the free-throw line but the Titans had 10 more attempts.

Owens and White each finished with 19 points to lead Polk State. White was an efficient 9-for-12 from the field. Owens had seven of Polk State's 14 makes at the charity stripe and two of its six 3-pointers while dishing out a game-high nine assists. Fray Nguimbi also narrowly missed a double-double, scoring nine points to go with his game-high 12 rebounds.

Brandon Davis led St. Pete with 26 points and five assists while shooting an efficient 8-for-13 from the floor. Mason Blazer and Isaac Edwards each added 14 points.

Saturday's loss was the first this season for Polk State by more than three points. The Eagles will aim for that elusive first conference win on Wednesday when they visit Florida SouthWestern State College.