JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- For the third straight season the joy of opening night was dashed after 40 minutes for the #12 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers as a lull heading into the half continued into the second and cost the Bucs in a 56-53 loss to DII #13 Chattahoochee Valley to begin their 2025-2026 campaign. 

 

There were more tricks than treats for the Bucs early on against the Pirates as FSW went the first 5:38 of the contest without a field goal as they fell behind 7-1 midway through the first. They got things going from there as Arielle Marc hit a pair of shots and Damia Worthy drove past the Pirates defense for two on the inside to give the Bucs their first lead of the game at 16-13 at the end of one quarter of action. 

 

It was 21-19 Chatt Valley midway through the second when Elina Briede poured in five straight points on a three from the wing and a mid range jumper to put the Bucs back in front 24-21. Just when it looked like FSW had some momentum, they went ice cold in the final five minutes of the half as the Pirates outscored them 11-1 into the break to take a 32-26 lead to the locker rooms. 

 

The Bucs kept touch with the Pirates early in the third quarter, but hit another dry spell that allowed Chatt Valley to extend their lead to nine at 46-37 at the end of three. 

 

FSW made a run back into the game in the fourth quarter, cutting it to a one possession game in the closing minutes, but the clock was spinning too fast on this day and the Bucs ran out of time, falling 56-53 in their 2025-2026 opener. 

 

Briede led the Bucs with 12 points and Arielle Marc had 11 in the loss while Amelia Williams and Destinie Gordon combined for 15 points, all coming in the second half for FSW. 

 

The Bucs will look to get back on track on Saturday when they take on USC Salkehatchie to close out opening weekend.