Box Score TAMPA — After dropping a heartbreaker with just seconds remaining on Wednesday night, Polk State Basketball sent Hillsborough Community College to similar fate on Saturday afternoon.
Ty Owens' jumper in the lane with 7.4 seconds left gave the Eagles a thrilling 76-75 victory.
Polk State seemed to be in control as the clock ticked under two minutes. A 3-pointer and a fast-break basket from
Kenny Fields ignited an 11-3 run that also featured a pair of treys from Owens to give Polk State a 74-67 lead.
The Hawks responded with an 8-0 run but missing the front end of a 1-and-1 allowed Owens to give the Eagles the lead for good. Hillsborough's Niko Bavaro converted a corner 3-pointer on the ensuing possession but officials ruled that it didn't leave his hand before the final buzzer sounded.
Polk State raced to an early 25-11 lead. By the latter parts of the first half, however, the Hawks had climbed to within five.
Baskets from
Fray Nguimbi, Owens, and
Jordan Brown accounted for a 6-0 run as Polk State took a 40-29 lead. It led 40-31 at halftime.
Hillsborough opened the second half on a 17-7 run. Misael Cruz Rodriguez's jam gave the Hawks their first lead with less than 13 minutes to play in the contest, 48-47. From there, the lead changed several times.
Polk State had been 0-5 in games decided by three points or less. It will try to pick up another road win on Wednesday when it visits St. Petersburg College.
