LAKE WORTH, Fla.- For the second time in three days, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers traveled to Florida's East Coast and collected a road win Friday night as the Bucs used a big third quarter and a second straight double-double from Blessing King for a 75-62 victory over Palm Beach State to improve to 12-6 on the year.  

 

Early on it was Aaliyah Williams getting it done for the Bucs as she scored six of their first eight points to give them an 8-6 lead over the Panthers midway through the first.  The teams played even over the next four minutes before a coast to coast drive from Federica Lagana closed the quarter and gave FSW a 17-13 lead after one. 

 

It looked like the Bucs were going to start pulling away early in the second as Blessing King collected an offensive rebound and put it back in to put FSW up eight, but the Panthers came roaring back, using a 9-2 run to get back to within just one at 33-32 with 3:00 to go in the half.  A late three from Macarena Retamales gave the Bucs some breathing room and the Bucs went to the locker rooms at half with a 39-35 lead.  

 

The third quarter was owned by the Bucs as another Retamales triple pushed their lead to seven early in the period and her third three of the game widened the gap to 60-47 at the end of three quarters of action. 

 

FSW continued to push with little resistance from the Panthers as Natalia Tondi kissed one off the glass on a putback with 5:30 remaining to stretch their lead to 20 for the first time in the contest at 69-49.  Palm Beach found some rhythm late in the game, but it was too little too late as the Bucs dribbled out a 75-62 win at the final horn to collect their 12^th victory of the season.  

 

The Bucs shot 43% in the victory, dishing out 21 assists on 31 made baskets on the night.  King registered her second straight double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds while Retamales and Williams led the way with 14 points each for FSW. 

 

FSW improves to 12-6 on the year with the win while Palm Beach falls to 9-7.  

 

The Bucs are back in action on Monday at home when they host Hillsborough in Southern Conference action beginning at 5:00.  The game will be on the back end of a basketball tripleheader as four local high school teams will meet in two contests beginning at 1:00 and 3:00 at Suncoast Arena. Season ticket holders are welcome to attend free of cost while walk up tickets will be $5 for students with proper ID and $10 for all others.  Tickets will be good for entry to all three games.