CHIPOLA, Fla. (Interstat) — The Chipola Indians used a dominant first-quarter offensive explosion to set the tone and cruised to a 92-69 victory over the Polk State Eagles in a men’s junior college basketball game Saturday.

The game was effectively decided in the opening period, as Chipola established an overwhelming 50-36 lead. The Indians’ offense operated with ruthless efficiency from the start, shooting 58.8 percent from the floor for the game and capitalizing on 25 of 35 free throw attempts. Polk State, meanwhile, struggled with its shooting touch all afternoon, connecting on just 36.4 percent of its field goal attempts and a frigid 21.9 percent from three-point range.

The most important part of the game was Chipola’s immediate and sustained offensive pressure in the first quarter, which built an insurmountable lead. The Indians opened the game on a 7-0 run before Polk State’s Isaiah McCray hit a three-pointer. Chipola then responded with a decisive 23-4 surge over the next five minutes, a run fueled by interior scoring and free throws. Hedrens Bartelus and Maodo Diallo were central to the burst, with Bartelus scoring 10 of his team-high 16 points in the first quarter. By the time the period ended with a DeMarco Middleton free throw, Chipola had put up 50 points, creating a 14-point cushion that Polk State never seriously threatened.

Bartelus led a balanced Chipola attack with 16 points and six rebounds in just 22 minutes. Desmond Kent Jr. added 15 points, while Diallo just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Masiah Stevens and Middleton each chipped in 10 points for the Indians, who improved to 9-2.

Polk State, which fell to 1-2, was led by 17 points apiece from Isaiah McCray and Eric Dailey. McCray added five rebounds and four assists. Braylin Wells contributed seven points and six rebounds for the Eagles.

Chipola’s defense was equally impactful, holding Polk State to an offensive rating of 90.8 points per 100 possessions while posting a mark of 130.3 themselves. The Indians also won the rebounding battle 39-28 and recorded six steals and two blocks.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Chipola with a 70.80 percent probability to win.

Chipola next plays at Gordon State on Thursday. Polk State travels to face Northwest Florida State on Sunday. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch in Chipola on Wednesday, Dec. 31.