FORT MYERS, Fla.- Someone forgot to tell Florida SouthWestern State freshman Macarena Retamales that Wednesday night's game against #18 Indian River was set as the Bucs' sophomore night, but the four FSW Class of 2021 sophomores didn't mind.  Retamales went off for a career high 23 points, leading the Bucs to a 67-64 win to bring FSW to within one win of their fourth straight Conference Championship. 

 

The Bucs got off to a good start, taking a 9-3 lead to open the game while holding Indian River without a field goal for the first 4:49 of the contest.  FSW continued to push, stretching their lead to 17-7 later in the quarter as Ronaltha Marc grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in to put the Bucs up 10.  The Bucs went cold from there though as the Pioneers raced back on a 13-3 run, erasing the FSW lead and knotting the game up at 20 after 10 minutes of action.  

 

The Pioneers carried their first quarter momentum right over into the second, taking a 35-27 lead midway through the period.  The Bucs found their footing and after seven straight, they drew back to within one which is where they went to the half, trailing 37-36.  

 

A bucket from Macarena Retamales early in the third quarter quickly gave the Bucs the lead back and after a pair of free throws from the Chilean with 4:00 to go, FSW had a seven point advantage at 48-41.  A sweet three point play from Sheslanie Laureano late in the quarter gave the Bucs their largest lead since the opening minutes of the game and FSW carried a seven point lead into the fourth at 56-49.  

 

The Bucs came out in the fourth ice cold and their seven point lead melted away by the 7:30 mark as the Pioneers tied the score up at 58.  Back to back finishes from Retamales pushed the Bucs back in front, but five straight from Indian River tied the score once again, this time at 63 with 3:52 remaining.  Neither team could buy a bucket from there, as the Bucs and Pioneers combined to miss their next 11 shots as the game ticked under a minute to go, still deadlocked at 63.  The Bucs missed a shot to take the lead with 36 seconds to go, but got an offensive rebound and Retamales scored out of an inbounds set to give FSW a 65-63 lead with 33 seconds remaining.  The Bucs got a defensive stop on the ensuing possession and Patience Williams knocked down one of two at the line to put the Bucs up three after Indian River started to play the foul game to get the clock stopped. The Pioneers had a last second chance to tie the game at the horn, but it was off the mark and the Bucs survived for the 67-64 upset victory.  

 

Retamales led the Bucs with a career high 23 points in 25 minutes of action while Laureano chipped in 17 for FSW.  Williams only took four field goal attempts in the contest, but was as usual active on the boards with a game high 14 rebounds.  

 

The win is a big one for FSW as the Bucs take over control of their own destiny with a 12-4 overall and 6-2 record in Southern Conference play.  A win for the Bucs Saturday against Miami Dade would clinch their fourth straight Conference Championship after their move back to the Southern this season.  #18 Indian River will now need help if they are to claim a conference title as the Pioneers fall to 12-3 overall and 6-2 in Southern Conference play, but lose the head to head tiebreaker with FSW for the top spot.  

 

FSW wraps up their Suncoast Conference schedule on the road at Miami Dade Saturday with the Southern Conference title on the line.  They will close the regular season with a home game next Monday against DME Academy at 4:30 PM.