MELBOURNE — Polk State Basketball played yet another competitive contest on Saturday but that first Citrus Conference win remained elusive as the Eagles fell at Eastern Florida State College, 87-80.
After falling behind by as many as eight points in the first half, Polk State (4-17, 0-8 Citrus) closed the half on a 21-8 run to take a 41-36 lead into the locker room.
Isaiah McCray scored eight of the first 10 points during the run. A three-point play from
Ethan Simon and six points from
Eric Dailey over the final six minutes of the first half also played a major role in helping the Eagles move in front.
The Titans outscored the Eagles 8-2 to open the second half to take the lead but McCray answered with a four-point play to put Polk State back in front, 47-44. Eastern Florida State answered with a 15-0 run and never trailed again.
Eastern Florida led by as many as 15 points in the second half but 3-pointers from
Josh Pitts bookended a 12-0 Polk State run.
Jimmy Cami scored four points during that stretch.
Nick Oliver and Joviel Acevedo-Arroyo hit 3-pointers for the next two Eastern Florida field goals to create some breathing room. From there, the Eagles never got closer than five.
McCray led Polk State with 21 points and four steals. Pitts added 18 points and five assists. Dailey finished with 10 points.
Tre Jackson and Cami tallied nine and eight points, respectively, in the loss.
The Eagles made twice as many 3-pointers as Eastern Florida but shot 38% from the field. The Titans shot 48% from the field and made six more free throws. Eastern Florida also held a 20-rebound advantage.
The Eagles had no answer for Eastern's Sean Register Jr., who finished with 27 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, on 11-for-14 shooting. Acevedo-Arroyo added 20 points and eight assists. Tyson Wilson filled up the box score with 10 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and five assists.
Winless since Nov. 22, Polk State will try to put an end to a 15-game losing streak on Wednesday when it heads to Gainesville to take on Santa Fe College. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
