January 17, 2026
Quick Start Not Enough For Bucs at Daytona
It was in like a lion, out like a lamb, for the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers on the road at #22 Daytona State Saturday afternoon in Daytona as FSW put up 24 first quarter points to get out to an early lead before managing just 31 the final 30 minutes in a 74-55 loss in the second battle in a week between the two to decide first place in the Citrus Conference standings.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- It was in like a lion, out like a lamb, for the Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers on the road at #22 Daytona State Saturday afternoon in Daytona as FSW put up 24 first quarter points to get out to an early lead before managing just 31 the final 30 minutes in a 74-55 loss in the second battle in a week between the two to decide first place in the Citrus Conference standings.
Chelsea Bishop got the Bucs off to a quick start, drilling a three on FSW's first possession of the game and finishing an old fashioned three point play moments later to give the Bucs an early 6-2 lead. FSW would extend their lead to 10-2 and hold that to 20-12 later on after a Damia Worthy finish on the inside. After one it was the Bucs leading the Falcons 24-15 behind 13 first quarter points from Bishop.
The Bucs weren't as sharp to start the second, but still managed to remain in front by eight, 29-21 to the 6:30 mark of the period. That's when things went south for the Purple and Aqua. FSW was shutout over the final 4:27 of the half, watching their six point lead evaporate and Daytona come back to tie the score at 33 as the teams went to the break.
The halftime stoppage didn't solve the Bucs problems as they went without a field goal for the first 2:30 of the second half, making it a nearly seven minute stretch without a field goal bookended around the break. Daytona took advantage, going up 39-35 and later opened up a 52-42 lead at the end of three.
The Bucs missed their first eight shots of the fourth quarter and it was all over from there as Daytona blew their lead open to 60-42 with 5:30 to go in the contest. The Bucs got the final six points of the game, but it was too little, too late as Daytona went on to win it 74-55.
FSW shot just 20% from the field in the final three quarters to finish the game at 30% overall. Bishop finished with 21 points and 9 rebounds in the losing effort for the Bucs while Worthy added 10 off the FSW bench.
The Bucs miss their second chance in a week to take over first place in the Citrus Conference standings as they fall to 12-7 overall and 5-2 in league play with the loss. Daytona reclaims the top spot as they improve to 14-3 overall and 6-1 in Citrus action.
The Bucs will have three days off before taking the court again on Wednesday when they travel to Miami Dade to take on a Sharks team sitting right in front of them in the league standings.