Men's basketball team tops Florida Southwestern in conference game

The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team won their fourth straight Citrus Conference game Wednesday night at Titan Field House.

The No. 21 Titans defeated Florida Southwestern State College 68-63 to improve to 19-3 overall and 8-1 in the conference.

Fredy-Salam Sylla got the Titans off to a fast start, scoring seven straight points to give the Titans an 8-1 lead and led throughout the half as Sylla led the offensive attack with 15 points in the first half.

Up 32-30 at halftime, Felipe Patino hit his first 3-pointer of the game with 17 minutes and 35 seconds left in the second half. Corey Caulker hit a 3-pointer and the Titans were ahead 40-34. Five minutes into the second half Sylla hit a basket to give the Titans a 10-point lead.

It wouldn't last as the Bucs would cut it to a two-point game with under two minutes left. Patino hit a basket and the Titans hit enough free throws down the stretch to give the Titans another conference win.

Sylla finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. It was the third time this season that Sylla has scored at least 20 points in a game. Caulker had 15 points and Emondrek Erkins-Ford had 12 in the win.

K'Jei Parker led the Bucs with 14 points.

Eastern Florida State College will travel to St. Petersburg College on Saturday for a conference game at 4 p.m. They will be back at Titan Field House on Feb. 15 against Indian River State College.