FORT MYERS, FLA.- The #17 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers had their way on the inside Friday night, scoring 52 points in the paint in a 105-49 rout of Florida State College at Jacksonville to improve to 14-2 on the year.
The scoring was early and often for the Bucs who poured in the game's first seven points and never looked back. FSW quickly stretched their lead to double digits as Za'Nautica Downs pushed the pace and scored in transition just 3:12 into things and a steal and score later in the first quarter gave the Bucs a 32-11 lead after one. FSW shot a scorching hot 71% in the first on 12 of 17 shooting, getting 10 points from Lett and seven from Shondell Vickers in the period.
FSW continued to push the pace and the Blue Wave of Jacksonville continued to struggle with the Bucs speed. Four straight points from Tina Stephens midway through the second quarter pushed the FSW lead to 28 and the Bucs added to their lead before the half on a pair of Niaya White free throws to take a 63-28 lead into the break. Four players reached double figures in scoring before the half for FSW including Lett, Downs, Vickers, and Stephens as the Bucs again went 12 of 17 from the floor to finish the half shooting a scalding 71%.
The onslaught continued in the second half as FSCJ had no answer for the Bucs on the inside. Vickers and Stephens had their way in the paint, scoring on consecutive possessions to push the lead past 40 for the first time at the midway point in the quarter. FSW took a 50 point lead as Stephens scored three more points later in the period and held an 89-37 lead after three as Shekinah Guthrie scored to close out the quarter.
As the teams headed to the fourth and the game well decided, FSW racked up point number 100 with 6:06 to go as Anna Maria-Hoffman connected from the wing for three. The Bucs production slowed late, but it had room to as FSW put it in cruise control to the finish line in a 105-49 win.
The Bucs dominated every facet of the game, shooting 60% on the night to just 31% for the Blue Wave, outrebounding Jacksonville 45-33, and forcing 22 turnovers while giving it up just 12 times themselves. The Bucs outscored FSCJ 37-4 in transition, 52-26 in the paint, and 45-19 off the bench on the night. Five Bucs reached double figures in scoring including Vickers and Stephens who combined to go 12-14 from the field with 18 points each.
FSW improves to 14-2 with the win while FSCJ continues a difficult start as they fall to 3-14.
The Bucs will be back in action Saturday afternoon at 3:00 PM as they take on Santa Fe to wrap up action in 2018.