Posted: Feb 06, 2023
TAMPA, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers shot 56% from the field Monday night, flying past the Hillsborough Hawks 79-63 to earn their 15th win of the 2022-2023 season.
The Bucs jumped in front right away on Monday, using an early 7-0 run to take an 11-5 lead and they held that advantage to 19-13 until a late first quarter run by Hillsborough drew the Hawks back to within one at 21-20 after an entertaining first 10 minutes of action.
It continued to be a back and forth affair much of the second quarter until back to back threes from Natalia Tondi pushed FSW in front by eight at 39-31. The Bucs kept the Hawks without a field goal for the final 3:26 of the half, before taking a 42-31 lead into the break.
The Bucs opened the second half hot and never looked back as Macarena Retamales nailed a three to push the lead to 14 before an old fashioned three point play from Violette Skipworth had FSW on top 50-33 with 6:51 remaining in the third. Hillsborough slowed the Bucs pace down from there, but it was still 58-45 FSW at the end of three quarters of action.
Retamales continued to pour in threes in the fourth quarter, hitting two more to make it an 18 point game in favor of the Bucs before turning the reins over to Aaliyah Williams who scored seven straight to push the lead over 20 for the first time at 73-52 midway through the period. At the final horn it was 79-63 FSW as the Bucs took one step closer to clinching a playoff spot while all but ending the Hawks hopes of a return trip to the State Tournament.
The Bucs shot 56% from the field and 40% from the three point line in the win. Their lone bugaboo in the victory was an ugly 26 turnovers while forcing just 5 Hawk giveaways. Retamales led the Bucs with 21 points while Williams went for 19 and 7 rebounds. Blessing King posted her sixth double-double of the season, putting up 11 points and tying her own program single game record with 21 rebounds.
FSW improves to 15-7 overall and 4-2 in Southern Conference play with the win while Hillsborough falls to 5-18 overall and 0-6 in league play.
The Bucs last chance to continue their streak of five straight conference championships will come on Thursday as they square off with #15 Indian River at 5 PM on Sophomore Night in Suncoast Credit Union Arena. The Bucs need a win and help to keep their title hopes alive, while a win for the Pioneers would seal it up for themselves.