Box Score GAINESVILLE — In a contest with major FCSAA Tournament implications on Wednesday, Polk State Basketball was never able to overcome an early second-half run by Santa Fe College. The Eagles fell to the Saints, 80-67.
The contest was close for virtually the whole first half. Polk State trailed 40-39 at halftime.
Polk State (17-10, 5-8 Citrus Conference) took its final lead a little more than a minute into the second half on a pair of free throws from
Will Stallworth. With the score tied 43-43, Santa Fe's Predrag Panisic knocked down a 3-pointer to ignite a 17-6 run. From there, the Eagles never got closer than four.
Ty Owens led Polk State with 18 points.
Nathan Andrice chipped in with 14 points.
Cole White added 11.
Connor Morris and Ryan Webster each finished with 22 points to pace Santa Fe. Panisic added 18 points in the win.
With the win, Santa Fe moves a half-game ahead of Polk State for the fifth spot in the Citrus Conference. The top five teams advance to the FCSAA Tournament quarterfinals. The Eagles will try to right the ship on Saturday when they visit No. 2 Daytona State College.
