Posted: Feb 21, 2024
FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers posted new season highs in field goal percentage, three point percentage, and assists Wednesday night while blowing past the visiting St. Petersburg Titans 85-63 in Citrus Conference action in Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
The game didn't follow it's anticipated script early on as two of the state's lowest scoring offenses traded blow for blow over the first five minutes as they played to a 10-10 stalemate. St. Pete pushed ahead 16-12 with a pair of threes, but the Bucs answered right back as five straight from Ashley Lester and a three from Makenna Shaffer put FSW in front 20-18 at the end of an exciting first 10 minutes of action.
A steal and score from Federica Lagana early in the second broke a 22-22 tie and a jumper from Roksana Sajdak put the Bucs in front 36-30 later in the period. After St. Pete got back to within four late in the second, Kiana Wilson found Sarah Owona in the corner for three and she connected to give the Bucs a 41-34 advantage as the teams went to the locker rooms at the half.
An old fashioned three point play from Wilson midway through the third kept the Bucs up seven and moments later a three from Shaffer gave FSW a double digit lead at 53-43 with 4:20 to go in the quarter. The Bucs continued to put pressure on the Titans as Lagana drove to the bucket and scored and then found Sajdak on the break the next time down the floor to stretch the Bucs lead to 15 for the first time at 61-46. At the end of three it was all FSW as the Bucs led the Titans 63-49.
The Bucs continued to get contributions from every spot on the floor as Addison Potts nailed a three to make it 74-57 and a drive to the basket for two from Ivy Brown kept it a 17 point game at 78-61 with just over 3:00 to go. A late transition bucket put a bow on it for the Bucs as FSW went on to win it 85-63 for conference win number 10 on the year.
It was the best offensively performance of the season for FSW who shot 58% from the field and 50% from the three point line while recording assists on 24 of 36 made baskets. Five players scored in double figures, led by Shaffer who finished with 15 on just 6 field goal attempts. Lagana and Wilson both filled up the stat sheet, both flirting with triple-doubles as Lagana went for 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists while Wilson chipped in 7 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds.
The Bucs improve to 14-11 overall and pick up their 10th Citrus Conference win to move to 10-7 in league play. St. Pete continues their struggles as they fall to 4-22 overall and 2-15 in conference action.
The Bucs will be back home on Saturday at 2:00 when they host the Saints of Santa Fe College for the rubber match of the two team's 2024 season series.