WINTER HAVEN — Polk State Basketball dropped a heartbreaker to St. Petersburg College on Wednesday night, 69-64. Still, the evening brought cause for celebration.

Prior to the game, Head Coach Brandon Giles was honored at midcourt with his family. The son of the late Josh Giles, who coached Polk State to its only three FCSAA championships, Giles will resign at season's end.

Giles took a moment to thank a packed Health Center crowd for their support over his nine years. During his tenure, Giles has led the Eagles to nearly 120 wins, two FCSAA Tournament appearances and has coached 28 All-Conference players.

As for the game itself, the contest wasn't decided until the final minute. The Eagles trailed 63-58 with 1:22 to go but back-to-back baskets from Josh Pitts and Braylin Wells within a 17-second span cut the deficit to one with 56 seconds remaining.

Polk State (4-21, 0-12 Citrus Conference) was able to force a turnover in the backcourt on the ensuing St. Petersburg possession but gave it right back before it could get a shot off. After Michael Moten made two free throws to push the Titans' lead to 65-62, Isaiah McCray was able to spring free for an open look from deep for Polk State but was unable to convert. Moten went 6-for-6 from the foul line over the final 44 seconds to put the game away. 

Thanks to Eric Dailey's layup at the buzzer, Polk State took a 33-25 lead into the locker room. After trailing 15-11 early, Dailey, Tre Jackson, Marques DaSilva-Romeo and Adonys Christo all hit 3-pointers during an 18-1 run as the Eagles took a 29-16 lead.

St. Petersburg opened the second half on an 18-8 run to go back in front. There would be six lead changes over the next nine minutes.

With less than five minutes to play, Polk State trailed 54-49, but a three-point play by Pitts ignited a 7-0 run. After a steal and slam by Ethan Simon with 3:45 remaining tied the game, Pitts put back a miss following a Dailey steal to give the Eagles their final lead of the night — 56-54 with 3:34 to go.

Moten answered with the go-ahead 3-pointer on the following Titans possession to start a 7-0 run. St. Petersburg never trailed again.

Dailey and Simon each scored 12 points to lead Polk State. Pitts and Jackson chipped in with nine points apiece. David Larkins and Carter McDole each finished with 17 points to lead the Titans.

With just four games remaining in the season, Polk State will hit the road for the final time on Saturday when it visits Indian River State College. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.