Men's basketball team falls in Jim Grimes Classic opener

For the first time since the 2013-14 season, the Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team has lost two straight games in a regular season.

The Titans fell to No. 8-ranked Salt Lake Community College 88-84 in the first game of the Jim Grimes Classic Thursday night at Titan Field House.

Eastern Florida State College, who are now 8-2 on the season, trailed for almost the entire first half as the Bruins built as much as a nine-point lead but the Titans chipped away, and a Jonathan Ned 3-pointer tied the game 36-36 with two minutes and 22 seconds left. Johnny Bernard gave the Titans the first lead of the game with a basket, but the Bruins made a run at the end of the half to head to the locker room up 45-44.

A Mikal Starks 3-pointer gave the Titans a 49-45 lead in the first minute of the second half but once again the Bruins responded with a run of their own.

With 2:12 remaining in the game, Starks hit a runner down the lane to give the Titans an 80-78 lead but the Bruins scored the next six points to take the lead for good.

Nick Stampley led the Titans with 24 points while Ned had 15 and Junior Madut finished with 14 points. Daron Henson finished with 25 points, while Cameron Mack had 23 for the Bruins who are 8-1 and have won six straight.

Salt Lake will play Broward College at 5 p.m. Friday on Day 2 of the Jim Grimes Classic with the Titans facing No. 10 Florida Southwestern at 7 p.m. Admission to Titan Field House on the Melbourne campus is free.