MIAMI, Fla.- It wasn't pretty, but the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers will take it as FSW overcame a dreadful first 30 minutes in their Citrus Conference opener against Miami Dade Saturday afternoon for a 59-48 come from behind win to even up their record at 4-4 on the year. 

 

The Bucs got off to a forgettable start, managing just two points through the first 5:00 of the game as Miami Dade jumped out to a 9-2 lead.  The Bucs finally found some offense, but the Sharks continued to flow themselves as FSW found themselves in a 17-8 hole at the end of one quarter of action.  

 

Things didn't get any better as the second quarter got underway as FSW continued to struggle on the offensive end of the floor as they were plagued with turnovers and were unable to find any rhythm. Miami Dade was in complete control as the teams went to the half, leading the Bucs 33-17.  

 

The Bucs found something in the locker room at the half as they slowly worked their way back into the game, cutting the Miami Dade lead in half and later getting a three from Sarah Owona to draw to within one possession at 38-35 late in the third.  Down two with under 10 seconds to go in the period the Bucs worked a sideline out of bounds play to Roksana Sadjak who nailed a three from the corner as the horn sounded, giving FSW their first lead of the game at 41-40 as the teams went to the fourth.  

 

The Bucs carried their momentum into the fourth, extending their lead to six at 50-44 midway through the quarter.  The Bucs then turned up the screws on the defensive end, allowing the Sharks to score just four more points over the final five minutes of the game, opening up their lead and then putting things away 59-48 for the win. 

 

Owona led the Bucs with 14 points, all in the second half in the victory while Sadjak and Kiana Wilson also combined for 18 of their 20 points in second half action in the win. No other statistics were available. 

 

FSW evens their record at 4-4 on the year with the win while Miami Dade falls to 1-6. 

 

The Bucs will be right back at it on Monday when they travel up I-75 to St. Petersburg where they will take on the Titans in a 5:30 tip.