GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Santa Fe College men's basketball battled back from a double-digit halftime deficit at home against Polk State College, but the Eagles converted on a contested turnaround jumper from the elbow in the final second to escape the SF Gymnasium with an 81-79 win.

It was the second time that the two teams had met this season, and the Eagles have prevailed on each occasion by way of a basket in the final second.

First Half – POLK 43, SF 31

The Saints quickly scored the game's first five points before an 8-0 run from the Eagles put the guests in front.

The game started fast paced and remained tightly contested, with the two teams exchanging leads on a number of occasions.

After a basket from Jay Medor handed SF a 25-24 advantage, Polk State used a 12-1 run to seize a 36-26 lead with 3:46 left in the half.

The Eagles' lead remained in double-digits, 43-31, at the intermission. Medor (10) and Bradley Douglas (9) led the Saints in first-half scoring, but the hosts were hurt by 11 turnovers.

Second Half – POLK 81, SF 79

Polk State's lead grew as large as 16 points, 59-43, after the Eagles found the bottom of the net on three triple tries.

The Saints quickly cut into their deficit with a 14-3 run leading up to about midway through the half. The run was capped by Yaw Obeng-Mensah's jumper that brought the score to 63-57, and Obeng-Mensah netted eight points during the stretch of play with two makes from beyond the arc.

After Polk State extended their lead back to double-digits, 69-57, with six straight points, the Saints continued to find offensive success, and began another game-changing run.

Seemingly in the blink of an eye, a 17-1 swing handed the Saints a 74-70 lead as the clock went under four minutes to play. The Saints connected on two three-pointers during the run and made the most of a couple of steals with layups on the other end.

The next seven points went to the Eagles, who regained a 77-74 edge before calling a timeout with 2:14 remaining.

On the ensuing possession, Douglas was fouled on a three-point attempt and made two, bringing the score to 77-76 in favor of Polk State.

The Saints stopped the Eagles initially on the next possession, but Polk State collected a loose ball for a second-chance opportunity before making a jumper to extend the lead to 79-76 with just 35.4 seconds on the clock.

Santa Fe nearly turned the ball over on the next possession, but Medor hit the floor and called a timeout. It paid off, as the guard hit nothing but net on a game-tying triple from the top of the key with 11.4 on the scoreboard.

The Eagles' guard Tommie Lewis dribbled up the court from the right side and maneuvered his way to the left elbow, draining a tough turnaround with 0.3 left on the clock. The Saints called a timeout and were forced to try a desperation heave and tip, but the pass and tip-attempt was challenged at the rim and fell to the floor.  

Key Statistics

Medor set a new career-high with 21 points, which included four three-pointers and the game-tying triple down the stretch.

Douglas produced 20 points, Obeng-Mensah had 12, and DJ Henderson was the final Saint in double-figures, finishing with a season-high ten, all of which came in the second half.

A Moment with Mowry

"I'm proud of our team for not giving in tonight!" said Head Coach Chris Mowry. "We were down 12 at the half, fought back and forth early in the second half, and were able to take a lead late. On the final possession with the game tied after Medor's three-pointer, we defended well and forced a tough turnaround jumper that went in for the win."

"Our 11 turnovers in the first half really hurt us, and we struggled to get back defensively in both halves, with Polk scoring numerous uncontested layups. We will need to resolve some of those concerns and string together two good halves on Saturday against Eastern Florida."

Up Next

Santa Fe (5-9, 2-8 CC) remains on their home floor for a matchup with Eastern Florida State College on Saturday, March 20 at 4:30 p.m.