FORT MYERS, Fla.- To say Za'Nautica Downs was on fire in Florida SouthWestern's first Suncoast Conference road game of the year in 2020 is an understatement. The Bucs' sophomore guard was unstoppable against Hillborough, bringing us our #2 moment on our countdown of the Top 10 Moments of the FSW Athletics Year, her record shattering 41 point performance against Hillsborough.
Downs got her night started early, scoring on the Bucs first possession of the game to give them a quick lead they never relinquished. Moments later she cashed in back to back deep three pointers to give her eight points just three minutes into the game. She put in five more before the end of the first quarter, giving her 13 at the end of the period to push the Bucs out to a 33-10 lead.
She continued to pack the points on, getting a driving layup and score followed by a pair of free throws to give her 17 on the night. She capped the first half with another triple to put her on pace to break the record with 20 points at the break.
The halftime break didn't slow her down. She stormed out of the locker room at half by scoring the first nine points for the Bucs, quickly giving her 29 less than two minutes into the third quarter. With the game well in hand and FSW leading 66-29, Downs rested most of the remainder of the period, finishing the third with those 29 points.
Downs started the fourth out with a three and then connected on a pair of charities to bring her to within one of Tina Stephens single game scoring record of 35. It didn't take her long to claim the top spot all to herself, scoring on a back cut for an easy two to give her a 36 point night. She added to her total in the closing minutes, hitting a jumper from the wing to give her 38 and then cashed one last triple, her seventh of the night, to break the 40 point mark and close out a 100-67 win for the Bucs.
Downs finished with 41 points in just 25 minutes of action. She went 16-24 from the field and 7-11 from the three point line to break the record. The 41 point performance eclipsed Stephens' old mark by six points and was nine points more than her previous career high of 32.
Stay tuned to FSWBucs.com and @FSWBucs on social media on Friday as we wrap up our countdown with the top moment of the Bucs Athletics season, brought to you by the FSW Softball team.
Top 10 Moments of the 2019-2020 FSW Athletics Year
#10- Bucs Volleyball Opens Inaugural Season
#9- Bucs Women's Basketball Earns Second Straight Bid to Nationals
#8- Ellefson Blasts Three Home Runs vs. Miami Dade
#7- Bucs Baseball Stuns San Jac in Extras
#6- Bucs Roll Through Third Straight Undefeated Conference Season
#5- Heisler's Back to Back Extra Inning Walk Offs
#4- Bucs Down Central in Five Set Thriller at State
#3- Ellis Lights Up St. Pete For School Record 41
#2- Downs Shatters Single Game Scoring Record
#1- 7/17/20