ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers moved to 2-0 in Citrus Conference play Monday night in St. Petersburg, using a grinding effort to beat the Titans 55-45  despite shooting just 30% from the field in the contest.  

 

After getting off to a slow start their past couple of games, the Bucs actually got out to a good start on Monday, getting early three point plays from Ashley Lester and Kiana Wilson to take a 12-6 lead four minutes into the contest.  St. Petersburg got the next seven to take their first lead of the night and the teams traded baskets to finish the quarter as the Titans took a one point lead, 15-14 at the end of 10 minutes of play. 

 

The Bucs used a pair of long balls to open up their lead in the second as Lester nailed a three and Addison Potts followed suit to push their advantage to seven at 22-15 midway through the period. With just over a minute left in the half, Lester connected again on a kick out from Wilson to give FSW a 28-20 lead as the teams went to the locker rooms at half. 

 

St. Petersburg found some rhythm as the second half began, scoring eight of the first nine points to cut the Bucs lead to just one at 29-28 three minutes into the period. Back to back steal and scores from Federica Lagana cushioned the Bucs lead back to five and that's the way the teams would go to the fourth with FSW leading St. Pete 40-35. 

 

The Bucs turned up their intensity on the defensive end early in the fourth and a three point play from Wilson stretched their lead to eight at 47-39 midway through the quarter.  Two minutes later, a steal from Wilson and a dish ahead to Lisa Le Roy gave the Bucs their largest lead of the game at 10 and the Titans never threatened again as FSW went on to win it 55-45 to remain unbeaten in conference play after a pair of roadies to begin the schedule.  

 

The Bucs won despite shooting just 30% from the field on the night, thanks in part to 18 offensive rebounds which they turned into 16 second chance points in the contest. Wilson led the Bucs with 15 points in the win while also adding 8 rebounds from her guard position while Lester went for 13 points and 7 rebounds and Makenna Shaffer joined the pair in double figures with 11.  Le Roy shook off a slow shooting night and contributed on the boards instead where she corralled 13 rebounds in the game including 8 on the offensive end of the floor.  

 

FSW improves to 5-4 overall and 2-0 in Citrus Conference play on the year while St. Petersburg drops to 2-6 overall and 0-2 in league action.  

 

The Bucs will return home as they continue a fast and furious start to Citrus Conference play on Wednesday when they host former Southern Conference rival Indian River in a 5 PM tip from Suncoast Credit Union Arena.