LAKE WORTH, Fla.- Everything was stacked against the #12 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers Wednesday night as they went on the road for their 2021 Southern Conference opener against the Palm Beach Panthers.  The Bucs were on the road in an unfamiliar atmosphere, taking the court for the first time in 21 days, and dressed just six players for the contest.  Despite all of that, the self named 'Solid Six' went to Lake Worth and grinded out a 54-48 victory to move to 2-0 on the year. 

 

The Bucs got off to a hot start, taking an 18-14 lead after one quarter of action. They hit a wall in the second though, managing just five points, and went to the break trailing Palm Beach 24-23. The Bucs defense flipped the script on the Panthers in the third quarter, holding them to just seven points while retaking a 40-31 lead into the fourth. Some clutch shooting extended their lead early in the fourth and they hung on late for a 54-48 victory. 

 

The Bucs shot 46% from the field in the low possession game, led by 14 points from Ronaltha Marc and 10 points and 9 rebounds from Tyshonne Tollie.   Macarena Retamales and A'Moni Waiters each had 9 points for the Bucs while Tashun Bryson had 8 and Kyriaki Taylor corralled 6 boards.  

 

The Bucs move to 2-0 on the year with the win and win their return to the Southern Conference to begin league play 1-0.  Palm Beach drops to 2-4 on the year and 0-2 in conference play.  

 

The Bucs return home on Saturday to Suncoast Credit Union Arena where they will take on #25 Indian River in a top 25 matchup set to tip at 2:30 PM.