SCF Basketball drops first conference match up to Polk State, 66-58

BRADENTON,FL- 1/26/2012- The State College of Florida held Polk State College off for awhile, but could not finish down the stretch.

The Manatees scored 25 points over the final 20 minutes in a 66-58 loss to the Eagles in the Suncoast Conference opener for both schools Wednesday night.

Denzel Myers led SCF (5-12, 0-1) with 16 points while Reggie Baity added 15.

A strong start helped the Manatees open up a 16-8 lead early on. SCF held another eight-point advantage in the final minute of the first half before two late Polk baskets trimmed the advantage to four.

Another spurt pushed the SCF lead back to 48-41 in the final half before an 11-0 Eagle run did the home team in. The Manatees were held to just 10 points in the final eight minutes.

“When we needed the energy (Down the stretch) we didn’t have it,” head coach Joe Whelton said. “Sometimes I think I believe in the guys more then they believe in themselves. Polk was the best team in our conference last year and we played right with them. This was one to steal.”

SCF will travel to St. Petersburg College for another conference contest at 4 p.m. Saturday.

“We proved we can play with anyone in our league. We have nothing to lose. Our guys need to go up there, have fun and get a win,” Whelton said.

SCF's Bobby Thomas with a jump shot
photo courtesy of: Jason Roberts (Envision Sports Media)