MELBOURNE, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers went toe to toe with the #1 ranked Northwest Florida State Raiders Saturday afternoon at the Florida Juco Shootout in Melbourne, Florida, missing a chance to win in regulation and then coming up just short in overtime in a 74-67 defeat to fall to 5-3 on the year. 

 

The Bucs got off to a good start, going right at the top ranked Raiders as FSW jumped out to a 10-5 lead just four minutes into the contest. Expectedly, Northwest answered back, doubling the Bucs up over the next six minutes to take a one point lead, 17-16 at the under 10 media timeout in the first half.  Points were tough to come by as the half continued as Northwest took a two point lead, 25-23 with 4:00 to go, but the Raiders found some rhythm before the break, taking a 37-28 lead into the locker rooms at the half.  

 

FSW looked like they were in trouble early in the second half as Northwest Florida scored the first six points of the period to open up their largest lead of the game at 43-28. The Bucs dug their heels in from there, slowly working their way back into the game before Dezdrick Lindsay got them to within two possessions at 46-40 with 12:30 remaining. FSW stayed within striking distance over the next 10 minutes and with just under 2:00 left a jumper from Tyrone Baker knotted the game at 58 a piece.  The Bucs took a two point lead with 30 seconds to go, but a foul on the next Raider possession allowed Northwest to hit a pair of freebies to tie the game at 60. FSW had the ball for the final shot and a chance to win, but the jumper was off the mark and the game went to overtime tied at 60. 

 

The Bucs struggled to get anything going early in overtime as Northwest got the first five points to go ahead 65-60 midway through the extra frame.  FSW finally got on the board, but Northwest was there to answer and the Bucs never threatened again as the Raiders dribbled out a 74-67 win to send the Bucs home unhappy.  

 

Three Bucs scored in double figures led by Yvens Paul who tied his career high with 17 and Jaehshon Thomas who pitched in a dozen.  No other stats were provided from the game. 

 

FSW falls to 5-3 on the year with the loss while Northwest Florida bounces back from their first defeat of the year to improve to 11-1  

 

The Bucs will look to get back on the right track next weekend when they host the FSW Classic at home in Suncoast Arena Friday and Saturday as they take on Monroe and Elgin on back to back days.