Posted: Dec 16, 2023
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers closed the first half of the season with a bang on Saturday, leading wire to wire in a dominating 73-65 victory over 2023 Final Four participant Tallahassee.
The Bucs got off to a quick start as Cole Franklin banged a three to five FSW an early lead and a thunderous alley oop from Jaehshon Thomas to Tyrone Baker cushioned the lead to 7-0 just two minutes into the contest. The Bucs didn't stop there as Baker denied an Eagle at the rim on the next possession and FSW added two more buckets to go ahead 11-0 before Tallahassee finally got on the board. The Eagles found some momentum once they got on the broad and trimmed the Bucs lead back to six before a 10-0 FSW run extended the lead back to double digits at 26-10 with 10:11 to go in the half. A three from AJ Hopkins with 4:11 to go in the half had FSW doubling up the Eagles at 38-19 and the Bucs sailed into the locker rooms with a 17 point lead at 40-23.
The Bucs continued to lead things big midway through the second half as Thomas slashed to the hole for two to keep FSW up 18 at 55-37 but the Bucs managed just one field goal over the next three minutes as the Eagles drew back to within a baker's dozen at 58-45. The Bucs struggles continued as Tallahassee got back to within single digits for the first time since early in the first half at 60-51 and started to make the Bucs sweat as a jumper got the Eagles within six with 2:40 to go. A huge putback dunk from Yvens Paul on the Bucs next possession gave FSW some breathing room and they would get things done at the free throw line in the final two minutes to dribble out a 73-65 victory at the final horn.
The Bucs shot an even 50% from the field in the win with Thomas, Franklin, and Dezdrick Lindsay each scoring in double figures in the matinee affair. Paul finished with 6 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks to move him into the FSW single season Top 10 in blocked shots. Hopkins chipped in 8 points and 8 rebounds off the Bucs bench.
FSW improves to 8-4 on the year with the win while Tallahassee falls to 11-4.
The Bucs will be back in action on January 3rd at home in Suncoast Arena when they host Albany Tech in a 7 PM tip to wrap up non-conference play.