FORT MYERS, Fla.- The #2 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers put on another show in front of their home crowd Saturday afternoon at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, blowing out the visiting Hillsborough Hawks 94-71 to win their 16th straight and improve to 6-0 in Suncoast Conference play.  

 

The Bucs got off to a hot start, taking a 10-5 lead three minutes in after back to back threes from Keon Ellis and Jalen Finch.  FSW stretched their lead to double digits at the 13 minute mark, but a 10-2 run from the Hawks sliced into that and made it a one possession game at 24-21 at the midway point of the half.  The Bucs slowly added onto their lead, eventually pushing it back to 10 with 3:08 to go in the half before settling for a 42-35 lead at the half. 

 

The Bucs shot 46% in the half and held Hillsborough to 39% shooting while forcing 12 first half Hawk turnovers. Ellis led FSW with 14 points and 5 assists while Ralph Bissainthe added 8 of the Bucs bench.  

 

It remained a seven point game three minutes into the second half when the Bucs stepped on the gas and put the game away.  FSW scored 10 of the next 12 points, including five from Ellis to quickly blow the game open to 55-40 with 15:21 to go.  A steal and slam from Bissainthe stretched the Bucs lead to 19 with 7:20 to go in the contest and they took their first 20 point lead of the game moments later when Jermaine Marshall connected on a pair of free throws.  A Berrick JeanLouis slam in traffic put an exclamation point on it for the Bucs  as they went on to win 94-71 for their 16th straight win.  

 

FSW tied a season low with 9 turnovers in the win as they shot 45% from the field and 38% from the three point line.  Ellis put together another monster effort for FSW, scoring 29 points while grabbing 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and blocking 4 shots. Marshall notched his fifth double-double in six Suncoast Conference games and recorded his now FSW record seventh on the year with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the win while JeanLouis and Bissainthe combined for 27 of the Bucs bench.  

 

The Bucs win their 16th straight to improve to 23-1 overall and 6-0 in Suncoast Conference play on the season while Hillsborough remains winless in conference action at 0-5 while dropping to 8-12 overall on the year.  

 

FSW will get a well deserved week long break before their next action where they will return to the floor in conference action on Saturday, February 1st when they battle State College of Florida on the road in Bradenton.