TAMPA, FLA.- The #13 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers took a big step in securing their second straight Suncoast Conference Championship on Saturday, hammering Hillsborough 100-67 to improve to 23-2 overall and 5-0 in league play, extending their conference lead to three games.
The game was close after one as FSW led just 23-20, but the Bucs opened things up with a 27 point second quarter to lead it 50-34 after 20 minutes of action.
The Bucs didn't let off the gas as the second half began, pushing their lead past 25 in the third quarter as they outscored the Hawks 21-11 in the period. All that was left to question as the fourth began, was whether or not FSW would hit the 100 point mark for the 10th time on the season, and they did just that in the closing seconds of the contest to take the game 100-67.
FSW was efficient in the win, shooting 57% from the field and 47% from the three point line as a team. As has become commonplace, Tina Stephens and Shondell Vickers again led the Bucs in the point column, Stephens going for 26 on 11 of 17 from the field and Vickers dropping in 16 on 6 of 8 shooting. Simone Lett and Taylor Williams each contributed off the bench with a combined 23 points while Nairimar Vargas-Reyes pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the Bucs in the victory.
The Bucs win their 19th straight game to improve to 23-2 on the year. They remain perfect in Suncoast Conference action at 5-0. Hillsborough falls to 11-11 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
FSW will have an extended layoff, not taking the court again until February 6th when they make the trip across the state to Melbourne to take on Eastern Florida State.