Led by 25 points from sophomore center Kyle Meyer and 23 from sophomore guard Demetrius McReynolds – 21 of them coming on seven three-pointers – the Titans established control early and never let Broward back into the game. (Eastern Florida image)
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Led by 25 points from sophomore center Kyle Meyer and 23 from sophomore guard Demetrius McReynolds – 21 of them coming on seven three-pointers – the Titans established control early and never let Broward back into the game.
Kyle Meyer
Consider these numbers:
• Forty-seven straight victories at home.
• Fifty-one victories in two seasons.
• An overall record of 27-3 this season.
• A third consecutive Florida College System Activities Association Southern Conference championship with a record of 10-2.
• A third straight appearance in the FCSAA/NJCAA Region 8 postseason tournament.
• A No. 6 national ranking and a No. 2 ranking in Florida.
Eastern Florida’s men’s basketball team and its sophomore class racked up those numbers and more in dispatching Broward College 95-76 on Saturday on Sophomore Night at Titan Field House.
Broward led twice, the final time 7-6 with 14 minutes and 39 seconds to play.
From there the Titans steadily pulled away and led 47-30 at the break.
The momentum carried into the second half as the Titans never allowed Broward to get within single digits.
Broward fell to 22-8 and 7-5.
WATCH THE REPLAY
ABOVE VIDEO REPLAY:Watch the Titans win their 47th straight game as Eastern Florida’s men’s basketball team and its sophomore class dispatched Broward College 95-76 on Saturday on Sophomore Night at Titan Field House.
Jeremy Shulman
“It is an unbelievable job by our team and an unbelievable job by our sophomores,” said Eastern Florida head coach Jeremy Shulman whose five-year record at Eastern Florida stands at 116-42.
“The blood, sweat and tears the sophomores have put into the program. They are the heart and soul. Those guys forever will be very dear to my heart.
“I’m really, really proud and a little emotional. These sophomores never, never lost on this home court. That’s a special, special accomplishment.”
Although Eastern Florida had wrapped up the conference title a week ago the Titans had much to play for on Saturday as did Broward which had an outside chance to qualify for the state tournament as the second-place team.
Instead runner-up Miami Dade College qualified.
“This was very important, important for so many reasons,” Shulman said.
“To win on Sophomore Night, we take pride on our home floor, we never want to lose on the home.”
The winning streak dates back to the 2011-2012 season when the Titan Field House floor was composite material.
Since the wood floor was installed for the 2012-2013 season the Titans have been perfect at home.
“It feels great,” said sophomore and two-year player Landus Anderson.
“All the hard work is paying off. It feels good to say we’ve never lost a home game.”
For McReynolds, whose three-point prowess was a big reason Broward was kept at bay, the winning streak was special.
Demetrius McReynolds
“I feels good,” McReynolds said.
“Even in high school we were good but never this good. To come in here and do it at a high level, the best JUCO level, it feels good.”
Meyer and classmate Payton Hulsey played only one season at Eastern Florida but both had big impacts.
“We got our 47th win on our home court, the sophomore guys got their 51st win and set new records all over the place,” Meyer said.
Coach Jeremy Shulman honored his seven sophomore players who have never lost at home during their time at Eastern Florida. (Eastern Florida image)
For sophomore and two-year player Jermohn Queen the fact that Eastern Florida is headed back to the state tournament is important.
Jermohn Queen
“It’s an ongoing experience,” said Queen.
“I got my high school to states, we hadn’t done it in a long time. Last year we got to state and we lost in the first round. This year I think it’s the year.”
The 27th victory puts Eastern Florida into position for consideration of an at-large bid to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas based on its performance at the state tournament since Florida gets two bids this season.
