AMERICUS, Ga.- Playing in what was as much of a home game as he will get during his Florida SouthWestern career, Buccaneer sophomore AJ Hopkins put on a show Saturday afternoon at the Jets Classic in Americus, Georgia, nailing six three pointers and scoring a career high 20 as #8 Florida SouthWestern raced past East Georgia State 87-56 to improve to 2-1 on the early season. 

 

Less than 24 hours after being stymied on the offensive end of the floor in a loss to South Georgia Tech, the Bucs came out hot early against the Bobcats, putting up 15 points in the first five minutes of the contest to take an early 15-4 lead.  They continued to torch the nets as AJ Hopkins drilled a pair of threes to make it 21-8 and moments later Cole Franklin found Yvens Paul for an alley oop on an inbounds play to stretch the FSW lead to 37-12 with 6:00 to go in the half. East Georgia found some momentum to close the half, but at the break is was all FSW with the Bucs leading the Bobcats 44-29.  

 

The break didn't slow down the Bucs as Hopkins and company continued to pour on the points, taking a 55-34 lead five minutes into the half and ballooning it to 69-44 midway through the period.  The Bucs put it in cruise control from there, sailing to the finish line for an 87-56 win to close out the classic. 

 

A night after shooting just 38% from the field, the Bucs connected on 57% from the field on Saturday.  Hopkins led the way with a career high 20 on 7-10 shooting while Dezdrick Lindsay had his second straight double figures scoring effort with 16.  Tyrone Baker went for 8 points and 8 rebounds and blocked a pair of shots as well for FSW.  

 

The Bucs improve to 2-1 on the year with the win while East Georgia remains winless at 0-4.  

 

The Bucs return home on Thursday to begin a two day classic when they take on Central Georgia Tech in a 7 PM tip from Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.