MIAMI, Fla.- The Miami Dade Sharks had no answers for the #20 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers defense Wednesday night in Miami as the Bucs held the Sharks to just 28% shooting in the game while dominating on the inside to come away with a 75-54 win to remain unbeaten in Southern Conference play at 6-0. 

 

The first quarter was tight all the way through as the Bucs and Sharks felt each other out trying to find an advantage. A three point play by Jayla Murray put FSW up five midway through the period, but Miami Dade answered back with an 8-2 run to take their first lead of the game at 12-11. A late three from Sariana Rodriguez put the Bucs back in front and at the end of one it was FSW 16 and Miami Dade 15. 

 

FSW dominated the second.  Aaliyah Williams and Ronaltha Marc came off the Bucs bench and gave FSW a spark, scoring eight straight for the Purple and Aqua to quickly stretch the Bucs lead to seven at 24-17. FSW continued to pack onto their lead as Miami Dade went scoreless for nearly four minutes, upping their advantage to double digits at 32-19 with 3:13 to go in the half.  A late three point play from Tyshonne Tollie gave the Bucs the momentum and a 15 point lead into the break as they took a 40-25 cushion into the locker rooms at half. 

 

The Bucs lone struggles of the game came in the third as they came out of the break slow, just playing even with the 6-18 Sharks through the first five minutes of the period.  FSW managed just one field goal over the final 4:25 of the third as Miami Dade trimmed the Bucs 15 point lead down to single digits at 48-39 at the end of three.  

 

The Bucs looked like they may have a dogfight on their hands as the Sharks got back to within six early in the fourth at 50-44.  That's when the Bucs decided enough was enough, flexing their muscles and scoring 15 of the next 18, blowing it open to an 18 point game with 4:09 to go.  Back to back buckets from Murray gave FSW their first 20 point lead of the night and a jumper from Tashun Bryson gave them their largest lead of the night at 22 before they dribbled the final two minutes out for a 75-54 in to remain perfect in Southern Conference play. 

 

The Bucs shot 43% on the night while holding Miami Dade to just 28% shooting.  FSW dominated in the paint where they outrebounded the Sharks 60-38 and outscored them 40-28.  Murray and Tollie both recorded double-doubles in the win as Murray went for 17 points and 12 boards to continue her recent hot streak, while Tollie put up 11 points and 12 boards while also tying for the team lead with 4 assists.  Williams led a Bucs bench attack that outscored the Sharks bench 29-8, by putting up 17 in 25 minutes of action. 

 

The Bucs improve to 18-4 overall and 6-0 in Southern Conference action with the win while Miami Dade's forgettable season continues as they fall to 6-19 overall and 0-5 in league play.  

 

FSW will jump outside of conference play on Saturday when they make the trip to Gainesville to take on Santa Fe in non-conference action beginning at 2 PM.