MIAMI, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers shot 55% in the first half and matched that with another 55% showing in the second half Saturday afternoon as they flew past the Miami Dade Sharks for a key 74-56 Citrus Conference Road win to improve to 4-1 in league play. 

 

The Bucs got off to a quick start, going on an 8-0 run after Miami Dade got the first two points of the game to grab an 8-2 lead 3:30 into the contest. K'jei Parker slashed to the basket and scored at the 14:00 mark to push the Bucs lead to seven at 14-7 and moments later, FSW held Miami Dade without a field goal for a 5:24 stretch to balloon their lead to 27-14 with 6:00 remaining in the first.  The Bucs remained up 13 in the closing seconds of the half when Jafeth Martinez ripped down an offensive rebound and scored at the buzzer to give FSW a 39-24 lead at the end of 20 minutes of action.  

 

The Bucs jumped on the Sharks again as the second half got underway with Jahmari Johnson drilling a three to cushion the lead to 47-26 three minutes in. Miami Dade scored the next seven to get back to within 14 and a triple from the Sharks made it a 51-38 game with 12:00 to go. The Bucs wouldn't let them get any closer than that though, scoring the next seven in a row to bump the lead back to 20. Chol Machot threw down a huge two handed slam and then put the nail in the Sharks coffin with a three from the top of the key as FSW went on to take it 74-56.  

 

The Bucs managed just 53 field goal attempts in the game, but made the most of their opportunities, shooting 55% from the field and 43% from distance in the win.  Four players scored in double figures for FSW with Parker leading the way, flirting with a triple-double with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Johnson scored a career high 15 on 5-6 from the field and 3-3 from three while Machot scored 13 on 6-7 shooting off the FSW bench.  

 

FSW has won four straight to move to 11-6 overall and 4-1 in Citrus Conference play where they sit just a game and a half out of first place in the league standings. Miami Dade drops their second straight to fall to 12-8 overall and 3-3 in Citrus Conference action. 

 

The Bucs will put their winning streak on the line Wednesday when they travel to Fort Pierce to take on Indian River in a 5 PM tip.