Men's basketball team loses season opener against Hinds Community College

The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team lost its season opener in the Florida Southwestern Tip-Off Classic at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.

The Titans, who opened the season No. 5 in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll, got off to a slow start and lost 71-52 to Hinds Community College on Friday afternoon.

Hinds led by as many as 25 points in the first half, but Eastern Florida battled back to go into the half down 37-22.

The Titans struggled from the 3-point line, shooting 3-for-20 from behind the arc in the game. Sophomore Jonathan Ned led the Titans with 13 points and Nick Alves had 10 in the loss. Eastern Florida State out-rebounded Hinds Community College 40-29 led by Osayi Osifo who had 12 rebounds.

Eastern Florida State College will play host Florida Southwestern who is No. 3 in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll at 5 p.m. Saturday.