Box Score WINTER HAVEN – Polk State Basketball gave a valiant effort on Wednesday night, but it ended up being just that – a valiant effort. The Eagles showed tremendous resolve, but a basket with 1.2 seconds remaining was the difference as Miami Dade College left the Health Center with a dramatic 77-76 overtime victory.

Polk State (14-9, 2-7 Citrus Conference) trailed by as many as 15 points in regulation and five in overtime. Despite that, Polk State was one stop away from victory before Kenneth Brayboy's layup off an offensive rebound decided the contest.

Polk State trailed 40-25 late in the first half before a 3-pointer by Will Stallworth seemed to swing momentum. Stallworth's shot cut the deficit to 40-28 at halftime and ignited a 28-12 run that spanned the first 10-plus minutes of the second half.

A second 3-pointer by Stallworth with 11 minutes left drew Polk State even at 51. Less than 90 seconds later, Fray Nguimbi scored to give the Eagles their first lead since the opening minutes at 53-52.

The lead changed hands nine times over about a seven-minute span in the second half. Six straight points by Hassan Belkhaddar looked like it might be the nail in the Polk State coffin as Miami Dade took a 69-64 lead. The Eagles, however, refused to lay down.

Karl Knighten Jr. provided a spark with eight of his 11 points coming in the second half. After his putback layup cut the deficit to three, Kellen Cashman's first points of the night came on a 3-pointer with 37 seconds left in regulation to draw the Eagles even at 69.

Miami Dade opened overtime on a 6-1 run, but Polk State continued to grind. Cashman scored and drew contact to cut the lead to 75-72 with 3:08 left in the extra period. Cashman was unable to convert the free throw, but Nguimbi knocked down two on the next Polk State trip before giving the Eagles the lead following an offensive rebound with 20 seconds remaining.

Belkhaddar badly missed the go-ahead 3-pointer on the final possession, but Brayboy was there for the contested hoop. The loss for Polk State was its fifth by three points or less, including in each of the two matchups with the Sharks. Miami Dade held off the Eagles to kick off conference play in Miami on Jan. 4, 67-64.

Nguimbi was a force for Polk State in every aspect if the game, finishing with 21 points – 17 in the second half. Like Knighten, Cole White also came to life in the second half, scoring all 11 of his points after halftime to go with nine total rebounds. Stallworth added 10 points in the loss.

Jamaal Morris led the Sharks with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Belkhaddar added 16 points in the victory.

For Polk State to sneak into the FCSAA Tournament, it will need to finish strong. The Eagles will try to pick up their second road win in Citrus Conference play on Saturday when they visit Hillsborough Community College.