Men's basketball team makes Mid-Florida Conference debut

The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team will make its Mid-Florida Conference debut Saturday afternoon in Ocala.

The Titans moved from the Southern Conference where they have won five straight conference titles to the Mid-Florida Conference in the offseason. Eastern Florida State College will open against the College of Central Florida who come into the contest 14-3 and are No. 15 in the NJCAA Division I poll.

Also in the Mid-Florida Conference are Daytona State College, Santa Fe College and the Florida State College at Jacksonville.

The Titans come into the conference matchup 17-1 on the season and No. 5 in the poll and have won 16 in a row.

Ahmed Ali and Nathanael Jack are among the top five 3-point shooters in the NJCAA, ranking No.1  and No. 3 in 3-pointers made heading into Saturday's matchup. Ali has made 69 while Jack has made 64.

Jack has started the past seven games and is averaging 15.7 points per game in those starts while Ali leads Region 8 in scoring average at 20 points per game. Teammate Eli Abaev is leading Region 8 in rebounding, averaging 10.1 per game.

Freshman Ruot Monyyong has also been playing well, scoring 15 points in each of the past two games off the bench for the Titans.

The College of Central Florida is led by the trio of Van Turner Jr., Carlos Dotson and Canberk Kus who all average over 12 points per game.

The Titans will be back at Titan Field House Saturday, Jan. 13 for another Mid-Florida Conference matchup with Florida State College at Jacksonville. Game time is 4 p.m. and admission is free.