Posted: Jan 11, 2025
TAMPA, Fla.- It wasn't always pretty for the #18 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers on the road Saturday afternoon in Tampa, but as the final horn sounded, they were one point better than the Hillsborough Hawks as FSW won a 63-62 slugfest for their 11th straight win while improving to 8-0 in Citrus Conference action.
The Bucs got off to a good start, taking a 12-6 lead early in the first after a deep three from Asiana Britt. They pushed their lead to 16-9 moments later, but Hillsborough roared back with the final 10 points of the quarter to take a 19-16 lead at the end of one.
The Hawks continued to give the Bucs trouble as they continued their big run to 17-0 across periods, taking a 25-16 lead two minutes into the second. FSW finally regained their footing, getting back to within one at 31-30 on a pair of free throws with 1:30 to go in the half before a late bucket from Hillsborough gave the Hawks a 33-31 advantage at the end of two quarters of play.
The Bucs and Hawks went back and forth in the third, taking turns with the lead as Hillsborough grabbed a one point lead back with a hoop midway through the quarter. The Bucs finished the period strong, putting up 13 points over the final five minutes, taking the lead back 51-50 as the teams went to the fourth.
Hillsborough took a three point lead early in the fourth, but back to back offensive rebound and putbacks from Britt flipped the script and put the Bucs back on top and after going up five in the final minute, the Bucs held on at the final horn for a 63-62 victory to escape Tampa with a win.
Only five players scored for FSW in the win as Britt led the way with 21 and Samantha Serrano finished with 20. Georgi Buzzetti had 13 on the inside for the Bucs.
FSW wins it's 11th straight game to improve to 13-3 on the year while pushing their Citrus Conference mark to a perfect 8-0. Hillsborough falls to 9-7 overall and 3-5 in league play.
The Bucs will take a quick step out of conference play on Wednesday when they go on the road to take on Palm Beach State in an 8 PM tip from Lake Worth.