FORT MYERS, Fla.- After watching their Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers open their 2019-2020 season at home in early November, Bucs fans had to get reacquainted with this year's roster Friday night in Suncoast Credit Union Arena as FSW returned from a six week absence from Fort Myers to take on Broward. The 13th ranked Bucs got off to a slow start, but quickly picked things up and never looked back from there, running away with a 91-50 win to improve to 9-4 on the year.  

 

FSW got off to a slow start offensively, managing just a single bucket through the first three minutes of action as they fell behind early 5-4.  A three from top of the key from Nairimar Vargas-Reyes got them going and they never trailed again.  FSW scored the next 14 points, including seven from Sheslanie Laureano, turning a one point deficit into an 18-5 lead midway through the quarter. A late three from Broward cut it back to a single digit game, but the Bucs were still in control, leading 24-15 after one.  

 

The Seahawks controlled the pace early in the second, limiting the Bucs to a pair of field goals through the first four minutes to cut the FSW lead all the way down to five at 29-24. A runner from Cabria Lewis got the Bucs back on track and FSW dominated the rest of the half from there.  The Bucs held Broward without a field goal for the final 5:51 of the half while outscoring them 15-1 to take a 45-25 lead into the locker room at the half.  

 

The teams played even through the first portion of the third as the Bucs continued to lead by 20, 54-34.  A finish on the inside from A'Moni Waiters started an 11-4 run for the Bucs to close the quarter, giving the Purple and Aqua a commanding 65-38 lead as they headed to the fourth.  

 

FSW continued to pour it on as the fourth quarter began and their bench began to empty.  Zairea Hannah and Kyriaki Taylor scored on back to back possessions to give the Bucs their first 30 point cushion and Lewis got a tip in at the buzzer to give them their largest lead of the night in a 91-50 victory.  

 

While the Bucs put up 91 on the offensive end, it was their defense that won them Friday's contest.  FSW forced 39 Broward turnovers, turning them into 38 points, while holding the Seahawks to just 13 field goals and 24% shooting on the night.  All 14 players on the Bucs roster contributed at least 2 points and 2 rebounds in the win.  Lewis led the way with 14 points and 5 steals while Ta'Shonna Wright-Gaskins had 12 points and 5 rebounds for the Bucs.  In her FSW debut, Hannah put up 7 points and 7 rebounds in 11 minutes off the Bucs bench.  

 

The Bucs win their fifth straight to improve to 9-4 on the year while Broward's nightmare campaign continues as they fall to 0-12.  

 

FSW returns home on Saturday for a 2:00 matinee affair where they will take on Miami Dade to wrap up their first half home schedule.