Dada has big night in men's basketball team's win over Polk State

The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team improved to 5-0 on Saturday afternoon, beating Polk State College 89-73 at Titan Field House.

Freshman Ayo Dada scored the first 10 points of the game and finished with a game-high 27 points in the game.

Dada kept things close early as the Titans didn't take the lead until almost five minutes into the game. That 3-pointer by Dada made it 10-7 and the Titans scored the next nine points to take a 12-point lead. It would reach as much as 16 points before Polk State went on a 9-0 run.

The first half was filled with fouls as the teams combined for 29 fouls as the Titans headed to halftime up 33-28.

Polk State withstood another Titans run and had cut the lead to 54-50 with 11 minutes left in the game. But an 11-2 run got the Titans back to a double-digit lead. 

"It was an ugly game but to get to where we want to be, we have to win those kind of games," Eastern Florida State College men's basketball coach Jeremy Shulman said. "Ay was tremendous tonight, I am very proud that the hard work has paid off. He is one of the most underrated guards in the country."

Teammate Jalen Warren hit nine free throws and finished with 13 points while Junior Madut had 12 points, Johnny Bernard finished with 11 and Nick Stampley had 10 points in a game that saw 64 fouls.

The fifth-ranked Titans will hit the road this weekend, traveling to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the Harcum Tournament beginning Thursday against Harford Community College.