FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers held the Miami Dade Sharks to just four first half field goals and 12% shooting to race out to a big early lead before putting things in cruise control for their fourth straight win, an 84-57 decision to improve to 17-9 on the year. 

 

The game started a little bit sluggish for both sides as the two teams combined for just seven points over the first four minutes of the game.  The Bucs got going from there while the Sharks stayed spinning their wheels in quick sand as a three from Abdoulaye Konate capped a 9-0 FSW run to open up a 13-3 lead with 13:21 to go in the first. A huge tip in dunk from Jafeth Martinez upped the Bucs lead to 22-9 at the midway point of the half and it wasn't until the 8:00 mark of the half that Miami Dade finally reached double digits as FSW opened up a 26-9 advantage. Chol Machot threw down a one handed slam to make it 30-12 Bucs and Ahmed Soumahoro scored on a circus shot in the lane to make it 37-12 with 4:00 to go in the first. FSW held Miami Dade without a single point over the final 8:12 of the half, building their lead to 27 at the break at 39-12. 

 

The Bucs continued to pour it on early in the second as K'jei Parker hit a three to make it 49-14 and Chol Machot slammed one home to put FSW up 51-17 with 16:43 to go. The Bucs got a little bit complacent in the final 10 minutes with the big lead but Miami Dade never threatened and FSW dribbled out an 84-57 win at the final horn. 

 

The Bucs shot a sizzling 53% from the floor in the win with 10 different players getting on the scoring sheet. Martinez notched his fourth straight double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Parker just missed one of his own with 14 points and 8 boards. 

 

FSW keeps their mathematical chances for a Citrus Conference Championship alive as they win their fourth straight to improve to 17-9 overall and 10-4 in league action.  Miami Dade drops their third straight game on the floor to fall to 17-11 overall and 8-6 in conference play. 

 

The Bucs take the court in Suncoast Arena one final time on Saturday on Sophomore Day in the Arena. They will do battle with Indian River in a 2 PM matinee in Fort Myers.