January 4, 2024
Baker's Big Night Leads Bucs Over Titans
Tyrone Baker put on a show, missing FSW's first triple-double in over five years by just one rebound, while leading the Buccaneers to a 100-80 win over Albany Tech Wednesday night in Suncoast Credit Union Arena to get 2024 started with a bang for the Purple and Aqua.
FORT MYERS, Fla.- Tyrone Baker put on a show, missing FSW's first triple-double in over five years by just one rebound, while leading the Buccaneers to a 100-80 win over Albany Tech Wednesday night in Suncoast Credit Union Arena to get 2024 started with a bang for the Purple and Aqua.
It was all Bucs all night as FSW jumped out to a 15-3 lead on back to back dunks from Tyrone Baker and Yvens Paul four minutes in. The Bucs remained up double digits midway through the period after two straight jumpers from Cole Franklin. The big guys worked together on the break as Baker dished to Paul for an easy two to make it 31-16 with 7:33 to go in the first. Baker then decided to rack up some points of his own, drilling a three and putting back an offensive rebound to open it up to 43-26 late in the half. Dezdrick Lindsay hit a three of his own and Karmani Gregory laid one in at the buzzer to put the Bucs up 48-31 as the teams went to the locker room after 20 minutes of action.
Gregory hit a three early in the second to give the Bucs their first 20 point lead of the night and they continued to build on it as Franklin nailed another one to make it 61-36. AJ Hopkins got in on the act with a triple of his own to make it 69-36 FSW with 14:00 to go and Gregory added two more to his collection to blow it open to a 75-40 game with 12:22 remaining. Albany Tech found some rhythm late in the game, but it was much too little too late as the Bucs cruised to the century mark, getting a pair of free throws in the closing seconds from Ahmed Soumahoro to hit triple digits and give FSW a 100-80 victory.
All five FSW starters scored in double figures let by Gregory's 20. Baker stole the show though, finishing with 16 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds, missing FSW's first triple-double since 2018 by just a single rebound. Lindsay filled the stat sheet as well, going for 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists while Franklin poured in 19 in 25 minutes of action.
The Bucs improve to 9-4 on the year with the win while Albany Tech falls under .500 at 6-7.
The Bucs kick off Citrus Conference play on Saturday when they travel across the state to Melbourne to take on #19 Eastern Florida State in a 4 PM tip.