Eastern Florida Trips Up Polk State For Share Of Conference Lead

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(content from Michael Parsons – EFSC sports information)

Winter Haven, FL – In the highly contested game Wednesday between the top two teams in the Central Conference standings, Eastern Florida needed overtime to subdue host Polk State, 76-73, who entered the contest leading the Central Conference with a perfect 5-0 record. EFSC was nipping at their heels in second at 5-1.

The loss squashes a seven game win streak for Polk, which included an 18 point road triumph over the Titans in Brevard County just over two weeks ago.

The game was back and forth all the way to the end. It went into overtime when Polk State College scored the last four points to tie and the Titans shot at the buzzer fell short.

Polk State College hit a three to get the overtime started, but Brody Boyer scored five straight points and Seal Osajivbe hit a big 3-pointer to give the Titans a five-point lead. The lead floated in that range until Polk State cut it to three with 21.9 seconds remaining. With the game tied and seven seconds left, Eastern’s Roberts Berze was fouled and hit both free throws to put the Titans up two. Justin Reid hit a free throw seconds later to give the Titans the final three-point margin.

“It is just unbelievable, our guys stepped up to the challenge tonight. We always say players play and tough guys win and we have some tough guys,” boasted EFSC Head Couch Jeremy Shulman. “We have a lot of games left in an incredible conference, but we knew to have a chance at a conference title, we had to win tonight. They are extremely good and extremely well coached and to come in here and get a win in front of a raucous, wild crowd, I am just so proud of our guys,” added the coach.

Berze and Derrick Butler each finished with 11 points for the Titans, with Markus Harding added 10. Eastern improves their overall record to 16-6, with a 6-1 league mark, a 1/2 game up over Polk State in the Central. The win is the Titans sixth straight since the setback at home vs. Eagles on Jan. 8.

The Titans will travel to Santa Fe on Saturday afternoon for a conference game against the Saints. Polk State brings in Daytona State on Saturday.

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