LAKE WORTH, Fla.- With March Madness beginning in Indianapolis and San Antonio this week, the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers assured that they would be competing in some March (April) Madness of their own this season, beating Palm Beach State 68-61 to punch their ticket to Niceville and the 2021 FCSAA State Tournament. 

 

The Bucs got off to a hot start, forcing three quick Palm Beach turnovers and scoring on each of them to take an early 6-0 lead.  Palm Beach flipped the script later in the quarter, scoring 11 of the final 14 points in the period to erase the Bucs lead and take a 20-16 lead of their own after 10 minutes of action. 

 

FSW drew back even at 25 on a scoop shot by Macarena Retamales in the lane midway through the second before scoring the final six points of the half to take a 31-27 lead into the locker rooms at the break.  

 

The Bucs looked like they were going to run away with it early in the third as they stretched their lead to 11 just 2:20 in on a bucket from Ronaltha Marc in the paint. But the Panthers fought back on their home floor, going on a 9-0 run to get back to within two before drilling a three late in the quarter to take a two point lead of their own. The Bucs drew back even and after 30 minutes of action it was all tied at 45.  

 

The game remained tied midway through the fourth quarter as both teams jostled for position before a finish in the paint from Patience Williams gave the Bucs the lead for good.  A jumper from Tashun Bryson stretched the Bucs lead to seven with 1:52 go to and they salted the game away late to win it 68-61.  

 

The Bucs shot 45% from the field in the game, doing most of their damage in the paint where they outscored Palm Beach 54-28 in the contest.  Retamales led FSW with 15 points in the win while Williams 14/14 and Bryson 10/10 both posted double-doubles for the Bucs. 

 

FSW wins their third straight to improve to 11-4 on the year while pushing their Southern Conference record to 5-2 to clinch their spot in the upcoming FCSAA State Tournament. Palm Beach falls to 5-11 overall and 2-6 in conference play with the loss.  

 

Next up for the Bucs is their 2021 home finale where they will host #17 Indian River on sophomore night in Suncoast Credit Union Arena Wednesday with tip off set for 5:00 PM.