February 12, 2025
Balanced Attack Leads Bucs Past Hawks
Five Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers scored in double figures and the Bucs defense held the Hillsborough Hawks to just four first half field goals as FSW raced past HCC 74-57 in Citrus Conference action Wednesday night at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS, Fla.- Five Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers scored in double figures and the Bucs defense held the Hillsborough Hawks to just four first half field goals as FSW raced past HCC 74-57 in Citrus Conference action Wednesday night at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.
It was all FSW early on as the Bucs raced out to a 9-3 lead three minutes in and doubled that lead to 18-6 midway through the first half on a drive and score from Ahmed Soumahoro. Buckets were hard to come by for both sides from there as the Bucs and Hawks failed to record a single field goal for the next 4:29 as FSW continued tolead it big, 22-9 with 4:57 to go in the half. Chol Machot slammed one home with two hands to break the drought, but FSW wouldn't get another field goal the rest of the half but were still able to take a 30-17 lead into the locker rooms at the break.
FSW held Hillsborough to just four first half field goals and 14% shooting while limiting the Hawks to just one two point basket in the first 20 minutes of action.
It was the inside out combo of Jafeth Martinez and Eugene Alvin sparking the Bucs early in the second as Martinez scored eight points in the first eight minutes and Alvin nailed a pair of threes to stretch the FSW lead to 50-33 at the under 12 media timeout. Matt Vaughn got an offensive rebound and tip in to push the Bucs lead over 20 with 8:18 to go and the Hawks never threatened again. FSW kept their distance over the final eight minutes of action before dribbling out a 74-57 victory.
The Bucs shot 47% as a team in the win with five different players reaching double figures in scoring. Parker led the way with 14 on 4-8 from the field while Martinez posted a double-double with 11 points and 13 boards for the Bucs.
The win snaps a mini two game slide for the Bucs as they approve to 13-8 overall and 6-3 in Citrus Conference action. Hillsborough loses their sixth straight to fall to 10-13 overall and 2-9 in conference play.
FSW is back in action on Saturday on the road in Winter Haven in a matinee affair against Polk State.