FORT MYERS, FLA.- The 2018-19 version of the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers won't be known for the individual superstars or the players racking up postseason awards, but that is ok with them because they are 26-1. It was another unselfish performance by the #1 ranked Bucs which saw seven different players score in double figures while no single player played more than 24 minutes. FSW picked apart visiting Hillsborough to the tune of a 107-66 beat down for their 15th straight win to improve to 26-1 and a perfect 10-0 in Suncoast Conference play.
It didn't take long for the Bucs to get going Wednesday in their first game in front of their home crowd in 11 days. FSW took an early 12-6 lead on a three pointer from Maddox Daniels three minutes into things and quickly stretched that lead to 25-10 by the midway point of the first half. With the Bucs usual air tight defense and their offense clicking on the other end, they pushed the lead to 17 with eight minutes remaining in the half as Jalen Finch and Keon Ellis hooked up on an alley-oop to make it a 29-12 game in favor of the home team. The Bucs next six baskets came from six different players as they pushed their lead past 20 and that is where things would stand into the half as they led the Hawks 52-32.
FSW shot 54% in the first half with Ellis leading the way with 13 points and Destin Barnes pitching in 11.
The Bucs didn't get off to an ideal start to the second half, but still played even with the Hawks through the first five minutes to remain comfortably in front. A steal and score from Tyler Morman started FSW on a 10-2 run to blow the game wide open with 13:47 remaining with the Bucs in front 68-41. Arguably the highlight of the night came moments later when Charles Manning Jr. drove the lane and threw down a monster one handed slam to wake the crowd back up in a 92-52 game. The Bucs hit the century mark on a pair of Mason Daniels free throws with 1:53 to go and ended up going on to win 107-66, their ninth time hitting triple digits this season.
FSW shot 54% overall in the win while holding Hillsborough to 40% shooting and forcing 25 Hawk turnovers. Seven different players reached double figures, led by Ellis with 17 and Maddox Daniels and Barnes who each had 13. Morman finished with both a career high in points and rebounds in his first double-double, going for 11 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
The Bucs win their 15th straight to improve to 26-1 on the year while pushing their Suncoast Conference mark to 10-0 with two games remaining. Hillsborough falls to 13-14 overall and 1-8 in league action.
FSW will have a week off before taking the court again as they hit the road for the final time in 2019 to Bradenton to take on State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota on Wednesday in a 7 PM tip.