Box Score WINTER HAVEN — Polk State Basketball continued to fight on Saturday but just couldn't finish. The Eagles led most of the way but ultimately came up short in its Citrus Conference opener to Santa Fe College, 83-78.
Polk State (4-9, 0-1 Citrus) started strong.
Isaiah McCray's 3-pointer as the first-half buzzer sounded gave the Eagles a 45-35 halftime lead.
Polk State's largest lead came midway through the second half at 56-42. Santa Fe, however, used a 17-2 run later in the half to take the lead.
The lead changed multiple times over the last four minutes and 11 times throughout the afternoon. After consecutive baskets from McCray and
Jimmy Cami gave Polk State a 75-72 lead with less than three minutes to go, a 3-pointer from Alex Pierre-Louis drew the Saints even.
Tre Dubois' step-back trey with less than a minute remaining put Santa Fe ahead to stay.
Josh Pitts nearly made an incredibly tough tying 3-point attempt with the shot clock winding down on the ensuing possession. The Saints were able to secure the rebound and take care of business at the free-throw line.
Despite a rough shooting day,
Eric Dailey eclipsed the 20-point mark for the third straight game, leading the Eagles with a game-high 23. McCray added 17 points.
Ethan Simon finished with 13 points and 16 rebounds in the loss.
Polk State held a commanding 58-40 rebounding advantage. The Eagles, however, committed 18 turnovers to just seven for the Saints.
Dubois led Santa Fe with 18 points. Moses Horne and Pierre-Louis added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
The loss for Polk State is its seventh straight. It will try to begin a turnaround on Wednesday when it hosts Florida SouthWestern State College.
