GAINESVILLE, Fla.- After a slow start, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers stepped on the gas late, putting up a 27 point fourth quarter for a 67-64 come from behind win over the Santa Fe Saints Thursday night in Gainesville. 

 

Both teams got off to a bit of a slow start as they combined for just 24 first quarter points with FSW leading Santa Fe 13-11 at the end of one.  

 

FSW matched their first quarter production again in the second, but Santa Fe upped theirs, erasing the Bucs lead and taking a 28-26 lead of their own into the break at half. 

 

The Bucs tied things back up in the third quarter and the two teams were deadlocked at 38 late in the period when Federica Lagana stepped up and knocked down a free throw line jumper to give FSW a two point lead as the teams went to the fourth. 

 

After a slow offensive night for both sides through three quarters, they both found some rhythm in the fourth, taking turns with the lead before finding themselves tied at 53 with just over three minutes remaining. Sarah Owona nailed a three to break the stalemate and with the Bucs up two with time winding down, Lagana picked off a Saint pass and put the nail in the coffin with a free throw as FSW went on to win it 67-64. 

 

Ashley Lester poured in 27 points on 10-19 shooting to lead the way for FSW while Owona chipped in 11 big points in the victory. 

 

FSW evens the season series with the Saints and improves to 13-10 overall and 9-6 in Citrus Conference play with the win while Santa Fe falls to 12-12 overall and 7-9 in conference action. 

 

The Bucs will be right back at it on Saturday back home at Suncoast Arena when they host Daytona State in a noon tip off in Fort Myers.