WINTER HAVEN, Fla.- The #8 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers relied on their calling card, defense, Saturday night as they hit the road for the first time this season against Polk State.  The Bucs held the Eagles under 40% shooting and just one three pointer all night to come away with a 75-62 win to improve to 2-0 on the young season. 

 

The first half wasn't particularly pretty for either side as the Bucs shot just 36% and went 3-13 from three, but were able to hold Polk to just 30% shooting and without a single triple in the first 20 minutes to take a 36-21 lead at the halftime break.  

 

The pace picked up in the second half as the Bucs and the Eagles got warmed up.  The two teams traded baskets, but FSW continued to hold the Eagles at arms length thanks to some hot shooting and easy buckets on the inside. The Bucs shot 53% in the second half to hold off the Eagles by a final count of 75-62 to earn win number two on the season. 

 

The Bucs finished the game shooting 44% overall from the field, but struggled from distance, going just 4-16 from deep in the contest.  Their defense didn't struggle though, holding Polk to just 39% shooting and under 10% from the three point line to come away with the win.  

 

Terry Roberts led the Bucs in scoring with 19, rebounds with 7, as well as assists with 6 in the ballgame while Jonathan Dos Anjos, CJ Jackson, and CJ Lane all joined him with double figures in scoring, going for 13, 12, and 10 respectively. 

 

The 8th ranked Bucs improve to 2-0 on the year while old Suncoast Conference rival Polk loses their season opener.  

 

FSW will be back in action on Wednesday when they make a trip across the state to take on Eastern Florida in Melbourne in a 7 PM tip. The Bucs are back home next Saturday at 4:30 when they host Northwest Florida State in Suncoast Credit Union Arena.