OCALA-- The College of Central Florida men's basketball team picked up another crucial conference victory, defeating Florida State College at Jacksonville 69-61 on Saturday afternoon in Jacksonville. 

CF (16-8) took a 45-25 lead into halftime, but saw the 20-point lead dissipate as the Blue Wave came charging back. FSCJ cut the Patriot lead to just six points with three minutes to go in the game. A 10-point second half by Jeremy Sheppard help secure the Patriot win. 

CF remains atop the Mid-Florida Conference, improves to 5-1 with the win. 

Sheppard finished the afternoon with a team-high 15 points, while Rajan Barnes added 14 (four 3-pointers) and Quenton Jackson had 10.

CF will be back in action on Wednesday when it hosts Daytona State College for a mid-week conference doubleheader. The women will tip off at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8 p.m.