FORT MYERS, Fla.- Florida SouthWestern State freshman Kario Oquendo is starting to come into his own. The former ESPN Top 100 recruit put on a show for Bucs fans Saturday afternoon when FSW most needed him, scoring 31 points as the Bucs held off a late charge from #16 Indian River for their second Southern Conference win of the season.
It was a tight game for the first 10 minutes as the two sides played to a 17-17 deadlock midway through the first half. That's when the Bucs caught fire as a Terry Roberts to Jaden Campbell backdoor connection started a 17-0 run for FSW, highlighted by a pair of threes and a monster dunk from Kario Oquendo to open up a 34-17 advantage for the Bucs. Oquendo drained two more triples to make it an 18 point game, but Indian River outscored FSW 10-2 to close the half to cut the Bucs lead to an even 10 at 45-35 after 20 minutes of action.
The Pioneers carried their momentum over to the second half, trimming the Bucs lead to just four early on at 48-44. A putback from Campbell and a three from CJ Lane got the Bucs back on track and at the 16:00 mark, their lead was back to 11 at 55-44. Back to back slams from Mohamed Sylla and Oquendo moments later stretched the Bucs lead to a dozen, but Indian River decided they weren't quite ready to roll over for the conference newcomers and scored 10 straight to make it a two point game with 10:00 remaining. It remained close until a big three from Lane and a triple from Oquendo the next time down the floor cushioned the Bucs advantage back to double digits at 76-65 with 6:37 to go. The Bucs looked like they had things wrapped up as they led by 12 with just 5:00 to go, but Indian River made one last push, closing it to just a two point game at 81-79 with 2:57 remaining. A pair of free throws from Oquendo and another three from Lane stretched the lead back out and the Bucs were never threatened again as they took care of business at the free throw line in the final minute to seal up a 94-87 victory.
Oquendo exploded for a new career high 31 on 10-14 shooting for the Bucs in the win, he also corralled 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. Campbell tied his career high with 20 for the second straight game for FSW while Lane set his career best mark with 17 including 5-11 from three point land. Roberts missed a double-double of his own by just a single assist, he chipped in 11 points and dished out 9 helpers for the Bucs in the victory.
The 15th ranked Bucs improve to 6-1 on the year with the victory but more importantly gains a leg up in the race for the Southern Conference title as they move to 2-0 in league play. Indian River drops to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in conference action.
FSW is back in action on the road on Wednesday when they travel to Miami to take on Miami Dade in a 7:30 tip. They return home next Saturday when they host State College of Florida in a 2 PM afternoon tip.