Posted: Dec 31, 2024
PANAMA CITY, Fla.- A day after putting up a huge second half to force overtime against a Top 20 opponent, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers struggled in the second half on the final day of 2024 Tuesday, watching a halftime lead evaporate in an 80-70 loss to Gulf Coast State to close out their non-conference schedule 6-6.
K'Jei Parker and Breno Silva came out on fire for the Bucs, each popping four threes in the first half, combining for 28 points to stake FSW out to a 39-35 lead after 20 minutes of action.
Gulf Coast began their comeback right away after the break, leveling the score and then pushing ahead of the Bucs for the first time since early in the contest. The Bucs struggled to put the ball in the basket as they attempted their comeback, eventually falling 80-70 to the Commodores.
Parker did all he could in the loss, scoring a game high 27 while Silva hit five threes and finished with 15.
FSW drops their second straight to fall to 6-6 on the year while Gulf Coast wins their eighth straight to improve to 15-2.
The Bucs will try to get back on track Saturday when they return home for a 4 PM tip against #24 Eastern Florida in Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
