WINTER HAVEN, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers led nearly the entire 40 minutes of regulation Saturday afternoon in their Citrus Conference matchup with the Polk State Eagles, but a late comeback by Polk forced overtime and FSW failed to record a field goal in the extra period, falling to Polk for the first time in program history 80-73 to drop to 13-9 on the year. 

 

A shorthanded FSW squad got off to a good start to the contest, digging their heels in on the defensive end and holding Polk to just nine points in the first nine minutes of the game as they got out to a 16-9 lead to begin the game. The pace picked up for both sides from there, but the Bucs remained in front the rest of the way into the break, taking a 40-34 lead into the locker rooms at the half. 

 

The Bucs and Eagles played even through the first 10 minutes of the second half as FSW remained in front 57-51 midway through the period. The Bucs hit a cold stretch and Polk took advantage, climbing back to within two at 59-57 with 5:45 to go in regulation.  The teams matched baskets over the next five minutes and FSW remained up by two into the final minute of action. With time winding down, the Eagles got a drive to the basket and converted it into two points to tie the score at 71 with 2.5 seconds remaining in regulation and the Bucs were unable to score on a last second desperation attempt and the game went to overtime with the score deadlocked at 71. 

 

The Eagles momentum carried over into the extra period as they scored the first five points to take their first lead since the opening moments of the game at 76-71.  FSW went scoreless for nearly the first four minutes of the overtime and finished the extra period without a field goal and just two points overall as Polk State outlasted the Bucs 80-73. 

 

Ahmed Soumahoro led FSW with 21 in the loss while K'jei Parker scored 18 in his homecoming to Polk County. 

 

The Bucs drop their third game in four chances to fall to 13-9 overall and 6-4 in Citrus Conference play. Polk beats FSW for the first time in 22 all-time games between the two, improving to 17-9 overall and 5-7 in league action where they enter the playoff conversation for the first time this season. 

 

FSW will look to get back on track Monday when they host Santa Fe in a makeup of the January 22nd game postponed due to weather.  The Bucs and Saints will go at it at 5:00 PM with tickets from the originally scheduled game accepted for Monday's battle.