PANAMA CITY, Fla.- After a slow start, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers put together a furious second half comeback to force overtime against the #18 Frank Phillips Plainsmen Monday afternoon in Panama City, but they couldn't carry the momentum over into the extra period as Frank Phillips outscored the Bucs 17-10 in overtime for a 78-71 win in FSW's penultimate game of 2024. 

 

Playing for the first time in over two weeks, the Bucs showed some rust in the first half, falling behind the Plainsmen 40-21 after 20 minutes of action. 

 

The Bucs dialed up some halftime adjustments and began their comeback as the second half began. Veterans Ahmed Soumahoro and Chol Machot led the charge, each scoring in double figures in the second half alone as FSW erased a 19 point halftime deficit to come back and tie the game at 61 to force overtime at the end of regulation. 

 

FSW couldn't sustain it's momentum into the extra period though as Frank Phillips regained their footing and put up 17 points in the five minute frame while the Bucs managed just 10, ultimately falling 78-71 in a tightly contested battle. 

 

The Bucs shot 48% from the field in the defeat with four players scoring in double figures led by Machot who flirted with a triple double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots despite battling foul trouble late. 

 

The Bucs fall to 6-5 on the year with the defeat while Frank Phillips continues their hot start to the season as they improve to 11-2.  

 

It's a quick turnaround for the Bucs as they will hit the court again on Tuesday in a battle against the host Gulf Coast State Commodores beginning at 5 PM (ET).