Titan men's basketball team loses in championship game

The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team's run ended Saturday night, losing to the hometown Hutchinson Community College in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Game.

The Titans never got on track in the first half as Hutchinson led from start to finish, winning the title 84-58 in front of a nearly sold out Hutchinson Arena.

"It just wasn't our night," Eastern Florida State College men's basketball coach Jeremy Shulman said. "Unfortunately that happens sometimes, but I am so unbelievably proud of this team, they compete from the opening tip to the final buzzer."

Already down 23 at the half, the Titans came out in the second half and tried to get back into the contest, cutting the lead to 13 at one point on an Ahmed Ali 3-pointer but could not close the gap.

Ali, Kareem Brewton and Eli Abaev all made the all-tournament team and Ali also won the Bud Obee Small Player Award for the tournament.

Ali finished with 12 points in the game and averaged 17.5 points in the tournament. Abaev had 11 rebounds in the game and averaged 12 rebounds per game in the tournament.

Shaq Carter finished with a team-high 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Michael Nuga also had 12 for the Titans who finish the season 31-6 on the season.

"I am just so proud of them, even for just getting here and setting all of the school records and getting to the national championship game," Shulman said. "This coaching staff, I am blessed to be around such great guys every day and then the administration, with Dr. (James) Richey, Jack Parker and athletics director (Jeff) Carr. We are great because of the organization from top to bottom and I am blessed to coach here, blessed to coach these guys and unbelievably proud of the season we had."

The 31 wins is a school record and it is the first time that the program has reached the championship game.