FORT MYERS, Fla.- The #7 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers dug themselves a big hole early on Saturday afternoon in Suncoast Credit Union Arena and were never able to dig themselves out, dropping a 74-65 decision to #23 Northwest Florida State for their first loss of the 2021 season.
It wasn't pretty from the tip for the Bucs who fell behind 18-4 right off the bat after a 3:00 stretch that watched Northwest Florida go on a 13-0 run. They slowly worked their way back into the ballgame, but buckets were tough to come by as they remained down nine at the midway point of the half. After shaving the Raider lead to eight, a three from the corner by Rhyjon Blackwell got the Bucs to within five for the first time since the opening moments at 26-21 and it remained a five point game into the closing seconds of the period when Northwest sunk their fifth triple of the half to take a 35-27 lead into the locker rooms.
Just like the first half, Northwest came out on fire, quickly pushing their lead to 14 on a 10-4 run to start the period. In his Bucs debut, Kaiyem Cleary gave FSW a spark off the bench, coming in and popping a pair of quick threes to draw the Purple and Aqua back to within eight at 48-40 with 9:56 to go. Another three point play, this one the old fashioned variety, from Cleary moments later got FSW as close as they had been all night, as he made it a one possession game at 53-50 as the clock ticked under 6:00 to play. It remained a three point game two minutes later and FSW had two chances to tie the game up, but turned it over twice instead and Northwest capitalized with a pair of easy buckets to push their lead back to seven. The Bucs never threatened again. The Raiders finished out the game at the free throw line and sent FSW to just its second home loss in three seasons, wrapping up a 74-65 win.
FSW was held to a season low 65 points, which marks the third straight game under 76 points for the Bucs after having that happen just four times in 31 games last season. The Bucs shot 41% on the afternoon, but struggled from distance, going just 5-22 and were also outscored 17-8 at the free throw line by the Raiders. Kario Oquendo led FSW with 16 points in the loss while Terry Roberts had 15 points and 6 rebounds.
FSW drops their first game of the year to fall to 3-1 while Northwest Florida State improves to 3-2.
The Bucs are back in action Wednesday night at Suncoast Arena when they host Central Pointe Prep Academy in a 7 PM tip.
#7 FLORIDA SOUTHWESTERN/#23 NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE BOX SCORE