Titans win Region VIII Men's Basketball Championship opener

The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team had five players score in double figures as they defeated the College of Central Florida 98-89 in the first round of the Region VIII Men's Basketball Championship Tournament in Ocala Thursday night.

Freshman Shaq Carter had 17 points and a career-high 20 rebounds and set the tone for the second half with a huge dunk as the Titans turned a four-point lead into a nine-point lead in the first two minutes of the half.

"It is all because of my teammates, we were sharing the basketball so well and we knew we had to come out and do that tonight, just execute the game plan and play hard and that is what we did," Carter said. "It is crunch time so I know that I have to step up."

Sophomore Kareem Brewton once again led the Titans with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists to help the Titans advance to the semifinals.

"I told them earlier, we get this win here and get all the jitters out. We had to come out with a lot of energy and we knew if we came out with a lot of energy and passion, win rebounding and we would get this win," Brewton said.

The Titans won the rebounding battle 56-38.

Freshman Ahmed Ali had 19 points and six assists and Michael Nuga had a career-high 15 points off the bench for the 27-4 Titans.

Eastern Florida State College will face Northwest Florida State College in the second semifinal slated for 8 p.m. on Friday night. Northwest Florida edged Florida Southwestern 84-82 in a tight game that came down to the final seconds.

Daytona State College will play St. Petersburg in the first semifinal.