Men's basketball team tops St. Petersburg, wins share of conference title

The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team cut down the nets on Tuesday night.

The Titans defeated St. Petersburg College 70-45 to finish the Central Conference season at 12-3 and earn a share of the conference title.

Santa Fe also went 12-3 this season and both teams will advance to the FCSAA/Region 8 Championship Tournament on March 2.

Eastern Florida State College broke open a tight game with a 10-0 run to take command in the first half and head into halftime with a 10-point lead, 37-27.

Second-year freshman Justin Reid had a big first half, scoring eight points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The forward would finish with his third double-double of the season, scoring 12 points and grabbing a career-high 16 rebounds.

Early in the second half the lead was eight points until Brandon Garcia hit two straight 3-pointers to give the Titans a 15-point lead with 12:23 remaining.

Garcia once again had a big night for the Titans, scoring 17 points which tied for his career high. Roberts Berze finished with 15 points, 13 coming in the first half.

After the game the Titans honored eight players playing their final game at Titan Field House. Reid, Berze, Vlad Salaridze, Markus Harding, Lovre Zaja, Reggie Hill, Brody Boyer and Rron Ukaj were all recognized after the victory and then the team cut down the nets.

Eastern Florida State College finished the regular season 22-8 overall and will find out who they will play in the first round of the FCSAA/Region 8 Championship Tournament on Thursday.