TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- As the old adage goes, it's not how you start, it's how you finish, and unfortunately for the Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers, a big first half was overshadowed by a forgettable second in a 59-55 loss to the Pensacola State Pirates in the 2025 Florida Juco Shootout in Tallahassee. 

 

The Bucs got off to a bit of a slow start against the defending FCSAA Champs, but quickly turned it around with an 8-0 run to take a 12-7 lead at the under 12 media timeout. Mason Blazer scored to make it 18-9 Bucs moments later, but FSW would get just one basket over the next five minutes as Pensacola trimmed their lead to just two at 21-19. A three from Abdoulaye Konate got the Bucs back on the right track and their defense would dig in over the final five minutes of the half to give the Purple and Aqua a 30-23 advantage after one. 

 

The Bucs came out of the break fired up with Stephen Okoro scoring on the first possession and Jeremy Innocent finishing off an old fashioned three point play on the inside to give them their largest lead of the game at 35-23 less than a minute into the half. After the quick start the Bucs went ice cold though, getting shutout on the scoreboard over the next 5:45, watching their 12 point lead turn into a one point deficit at 36-35 with 13:30 to go. The Bucs and Pirates went back and forth from there with Lamont Hartfield tying the score up at 44 with 9:35 remaining and Konate doing the same a minute later to make it 46-46. The Bucs offense disappeared again from there though as FSW managed just one field goal over the final 8:02 of the contest, doing enough at the free throw line to keep it close, but not enough to get over the hump as the Pirates closed them out 59-55 to hand the Bucs their second straight close loss. 

 

The Bucs managed just eight second half field goals and went 0 for 11 from three to finish the game at 32% from the field and just 8% from distance. Konate led the way with 16 points and 8 rebounds while Kenyon Giles was the only other Buc in double figures with 12. Okoro corraled 14 rebounds to led the way for FSW who had a decisive 43-28 advantage on the glass in the game. 

 

FSW drops their second straight to fall to 7-3 on the year while Pensacola improves to 10-2. 

 

The Bucs return home next week as they host the FSW Holliday Classic in Suncoast Arena Thursday and Friday where they will take on Florida Coastal Prep and Florida State College at Jacksonville, both games tipping at 7:00 in Fort Myers.