Men's basketball team opens conference Saturday on the road

The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team will open the conference season Saturday afternoon on the road.

The 24^th ranked Titans are 11-2 this season and will now turn their attention to the Citrus Conference season, opening Saturday at Florida Southwestern State College.

Eastern Florida State College has won four straight games and is allowing just 62.6 points per game which is third-best in the state.

"I am really excited about the growth that our guys have shown since November, going on the road and playing eight road games and they have shown they can play in that environment and that is what it is going to take in this conference," Eastern Florida State College men's basketball coach Thomas Gray said. "You have to protect our home court and go on the road and win tough games against tough opponents."

That begins Saturday against Florida Southwestern who comes into conference play 6-6 but played well in the Gulf Coast State NYE Men's Basketball Classic in Panama City this week. Florida Southwestern is led by K'jei Parker who is averaging 16 points per game. Teammates Chol Machot and Ahmed Soumahoro are each averaging 11 points per game.

"As you watch scores and film, you see from top to bottom that no game is going to be easy in this conference. We are going to have to bring out best every night and we like that thought process," Gray said. "We talk about consistency every day and that is what it is going to take. The consistent teams will be there in March and we hope we can show that day in and day out and be the team we know we can be."

One of the leaders this season has been sophomore forward Emondrek Erkins-Ford, who is averaging 15 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in his second season with the Titans. The Chicago native has scored at least 12 points in every game this season and has recorded four double-doubles.

Teammates Fredy-Salam Sylla (13.1), Corey Caulker (12.3) and Felipe Patino (11.4) are also all averaging double figures for the Titans this season.

"I really like what we have seen as a staff from our guys and hopefully that growth will continue. We still have areas to improve both offensively and defensively and so I am really excited to see the steps we will take as conference begins," Gray said. "I think we are in a great place, the guys are jelling both on and off the floor. The way these guys are getting along off the floor always helps. There is that bond and I think we are connected. Nobody is seeking it for self, everyone has the team at the highest point of interest and winning. As long as we keep that at the forefront of our minds, being about the team and Eastern Florida, I like where this team is heading."

The Titans will face the Bucs at Suncoast Credit Union Arena at 4 p.m. Saturday. Fans can watch the game live online at fswbucs.com/fswbucslive