Winter Haven, FL

Santa Fe (12-2) notched their first win of the new year as they took down a battle tested Polk State (4-9) team 83-78 in their Citrus Conference opener on Saturday, January 3^rd.

Don't let the record of Polk State fool you, they have played numerous nationally ranked teams to close games and are truly a battle tested program this early in the season. The Saints found themselves in an early deficit and down double-digit points at the half as Polk State hit a 3-pointer to extend their lead to 45-35 as the first half came to a close. Polk State extended their lead to 16 points early in the second half, but the Saints roared back with a 17-2 run to being the game back to a one possession affair.

Alex Pierre-Louis hit a big 3-pointer to tie the game at 75-all late in the second half before Tre Dubois gave the Saints the lead with a step-back three of his own on their next possession. Santa Fe iced the game by converting FT's at the line and used a 48-33 second half advantage to take the game away from the Eagles.

Despite the Eagles 44-23 rebounding advantage, Santa Fe forced 18 turnovers en route to their 1^st win of 2026.

Dubois led the Saints with 18 points while Pierre-Louis and Moses Horne tallied 14 and 13 points respectively. Jermichael Johnson added a game high 5 assists.

Santa Fe's 12 wins on the season has already outperformed the 11 wins of 2024-25. The Saints enter Citrus Conference Play at (1-0) and host #9 Daytona State at home on Wednesday, January 7^th at 7:00 pm.