WINTER HAVEN — Polk State Basketball kicked off the Polk State Classic on Friday night against a Brunswick Community College team that reached the national NJCAA Tournament a season ago. The Eagles were able to climb out of an early hole to draw even late but couldn't finish in an 88-82 defeat.

Polk State (4-5) got off to a rough start, falling behind 11-2. It spent the rest of the night playing catchup.

Josh Pitts went coast-to-coast to end the first half, beating the buzzer with a layup to cut the deficit to 45-40 at the break. Polk State never led but drew even at 72 with a pair of Eric Dailey free throws with 3:34 remaining in the game.

Brunswick Community answered with a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to go ahead for good. After the Eagles responded with a basket, the Dolphins used a three-point play to take a two-possession lead. Polk State could get no closer.

Dailey didn't have his best shooting night but went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe to lead Polk State with 20 points. Pitts finished with 18 points on 8 of 14 shooting to go with team-highs of five rebounds, four assists and three steals. 

Ethan Simon and Tre Jackson added 14 and 10 points, respectively. Braylin Wells and Marques DaSilva-Romeo each scored nine in the loss.

Brunswick Community shot 50% from the field to 41% for Polk State. Linwood Rowe led the Dolphins with 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 7-for-11. Alius Bowser also went 7-for-11 from the field, adding 17 points of his own in the win.

After a 4-2 start, the Eagles have now lost three straight. Polk State will try to even its record and salvage a split for its holiday tournament on Saturday when it hosts South Georgia State College. Tip is scheduled for 3 p.m.