FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers turned in a sterling defensive effort Thursday night in Suncoast Credit Union Arena, holding the visiting Ranger Rangers to just 32% shooting and 61 points in an 83-61 blowout win to improve to 3-0 on the year. 

 

Playing for the first time in nearly two weeks, the Bucs got off to a slow start on Thursday, managing just four points over the first 6:27 of the contest as they fell behind early 7-4. A three point play from Jeremy Innocent on the inside gave the Bucs the lead back and they never trailed again. Ahmed Soumahoro picked off a steal and raced the other way for an easy two to stretch the Bucs lead to seven at 22-15 with 7:17 to go and back to back threes from Soumahoro and Jahmari Johnson extended the lead to double digits at 34-23. A late three from K'Jei Parker gave the Bucs some breathing room into the locker rooms as they headed to the break leading the Rangers 39-25. 

 

It wasn't an offense exhibition for either side in the first 20 minutes as FSW shot just 37%, but held Ranger to a 27% mark. Nine different players scored for the Bucs in the period, led by Soumahoro's nine and Innocent's seven. 

 

Parker scored the first five points of the second half for the Bucs to boost their lead to 17 and the route was on.  Parker remained red hot, scoring seven straight midway through the half to keep the Bucs up big, 64-48. Ranger hit a three to make it a 13 point game, but that is as close as they would get as the Bucs continued to build upon their lead, making it a 20 point game when Roman Cummings grabbed an offensive rebound and stuck it back in before a late dunk in transition for Innocent put it in the books as FSW finished off an 83-61 win to remain unbeaten on the 2024-2025 campaign. 

 

Parker scored 15 of his game high 20 in the second half while Soumahoro went for 16 for the Bucs in the win. Innocent cracked double figures with 11 points to go along with 6 rebounds while Jafeth Martinez finished with 8 points and a game high 11 boards. 

 

FSW improves to 3-0 on the year with the win while Ranger drops their second straight to fall to 5-3. 

 

The Bucs will try to make it four in a row on Friday when they host Florida Coastal Prep in a matinee affair beginning at 2 PM in Suncoast Arena in the final game before the start of the Fort Myers Tip Off on Monday.