Posted: Jan 28, 2023
FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Miami Dade Sharks had no answer for the multifaceted Florida SouthWestern attack that came at them Saturday afternoon in Suncoast Credit Union Arena as the Bucs shot 56% from the field and put up 90 points in a 90-62 win in their best offensive effort in Southern Conference play this season.
Early on it was the Sharks that were red hot as Miami Dade came out and hit their first three shots to take a 7-2 lead just 1:35 into the contest. The Bucs quickly responded as Macarena Retamales scored seven and assisted on two more in just 1:24 to put FSW in front 11-7 with 6:32 to go in the first quarter. Kiana Wilson then entered in off the Bucs bench and gave them instant offense, scoring on two straight drives to the basket and assisting on another to push the bucs lead to eight at 22-14 late in the period. Miami Dade continued to have no answer for the Bucs attack as FSW finished the period with 30 points to hold a 30-18 lead at the end of 10 minutes of action.
Miami Dade didn't back down though as the Sharks outscored the Bucs 10-2 to begin the second quarter, trimming the Bucs lead down to just four at 32-28 midway through the period. A big layup from Retamales got FSW back on track and the Bucs scored the next seven straight to push their lead back to double digits before taking a 43-30 lead into the locker rooms at half.
The Bucs opened the second half with a pair of steal and scores from Retamales and Blessing King to up their lead to 17 and six straight from Aaliyah Williams later in the quarter made it a 21 point game in favor of FSW at 58-37. The Bucs held that lead through the rest of the period, taking a 62-41 lead into the fourth in Suncoast Arena.
With their starters resting in the fourth quarter, the Bucs bench took over. Violette Skipworth put on a show with 10 points, including a pair of threes while Kiana Wilson worked her way into double figures as FSW opened things up and eventually put the Sharks away 90-62.
The Bucs shot 56% from the field as a team in the win while connecting on 41% from downtown, both their best marks in Southern Conference play this season. Williams and Retamales combined for 41 points for FSW while Wilson had 13, Skipworth had 12, and King flirted with a triple-double with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 steals.
FSW improves to 14-7 overall and 3-2 in Southern Conference play with the win while Miami Dade falls to 5-19 overall and 2-3 in league play.
The Bucs will have another extended break before playing again, not taking the court again until February 6th when they travel to Tampa to take on Hillsborough.