On this Date in FSW Athletics History: Bucs Play First Home Games
Four years and six Conference Championships ago, the Florida SouthWestern State Basketball teams graced the floor at Suncoast Credit Union Arena for the first time in their respective program histories, giving us today’s entry into ‘On This Date in FSW Athletics History’, the Bucs playing their first home games.
FORT MYERS, Fla.- Four years and six Conference Championships ago, the Florida SouthWestern State Basketball teams graced the floor at Suncoast Credit Union Arena for the first time in their respective program histories, giving us today's entry into 'On This Date in FSW Athletics History', the Bucs playing their first home games.
After their inaugural 'Bucs Bash' with fanfare, food, and games in the parking lot at Suncoast Credit Union Arena to get ready for the historic games, the FSW Women's Basketball team was set for action in their home debut against Hillsborough. Behind a huge home crowd, the Bucs got off to a hot start, opening up a 32-11 lead on the Hawks after just one quarter of play. They came back to Earth in the second quarter, but still took a 10 point lead into the break at half at 47-37. FSW was again the better team in the second half, extending their lead before ultimately finishing the Hawks off 80-64 to capture win number one in their shiny new building. Dajsha Hall had a monster game for the Bucs, leading the way with both 17 points and 14 rebounds while Erna Normil put up 16 for the Purple and Aqua.
The fellas were up next and they did just about the same thing as the ladies did as they took on Broward. FSW raced out to an early lead in front of the sold out opening night crowd of 3,300, taking a commanding 44-29 lead at the halftime break. The Seahawks came out firing in the second half and a cold streak by the Bucs allowed Broward to make a game of it, but in the end, it was too much FSW for the incumbents as the Bucs polished off a 76-66 win to improve to 8-0 on the year. Nych Smith impressed with 18 points and 8 assists for FSW while ShanQuan Hemphill and Ed Porter each chipped in a dozen in the victory.
Both teams have been nearly unbeatable in Suncoast Arena since that day with the FSW Men going an incredible 65-3 in four seasons of action while the Bucs Women are 56-8 in the friendly confines.
The 2021 version of the FSW Men will open their season at home in Suncoast Arena against Hillsborough on January 20th in a 7:00 tip while the Bucs Women open on the road at Wallace State on January 22nd before coming home to battle Gulf Coast State on January 29th at 5:30 PM.