FORT MYERS, Fla.- For the second straight game, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers turned to their defense to secure a Citrus Conference victory Wednesday night at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, holding the visiting Polk State Eagles to just 36% shooting while forcing 20 Eagle turnovers in a 75-65 win to improve to 9-6 on the year.  

 

The Bucs got out to a quick start as Eugene Alvin drilled a pair of early threes to give FSW an 8-1 lead less than two minutes into the contest, but Polk roared back, scoring nine straight to take their first lead of the game at 14-11 at the 13:00 mark of the first period. The game of runs continued as a Chol Machot slam highlighted an 8-0 burst from the Bucs to give them the lead back 19-14 and FSW built on their lead with a bucket from Jafeth Martinez on the inside to make it 30-21 before a late three from Ahmed Souhmahoro gave the Bucs a 41-29 advantage into the break at half.  

 

The Bucs leading scorer, K'jei Parker started to heat up early in the second half, picking off a pass and taking it the other way for two to stretch the lead to 55-38. A highlight reel dunk from Jeremy Innocent gave the Bucs their first 20 point lead of the game and it looked like FSW was going to run away with it as they remained up 22 with under 5:00 to go. Polk wasn't ready to go down quietly though as they poured in seven quick points to make things interesting and a 3:36 scoreless drought for the Bucs allowed the Eagles to make it a 74-63 game with just over a minute remaining. Thankfully for FSW, the clock was on their side as the Bucs finished the game without a field goal for the final 6:26 of the contest, but did enough at the free throw line and on the defensive end to hold on for a 75-65 win. 

 

Alvin led the Bucs with a career high 20 points on 7 of 11 shooting while Machot filled the stat sheet with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocked shots, and 4 steals in the win. 

 

The Bucs win their second straight to improve to 9-6 overall and 2-1 in Citrus Conference play while Polk State continues a downward spiral with their fourth straight loss as they fall to 12-6 overall and 0-4 in conference action.  

 

FSW continues a three game home stand on Saturday when they host St. Petersburg in a 4 PM tip from Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.