Bucs Come Up Short in State Semis
FSW sports information – Roy.Allen@fsw.edu
reposted with permission
April 9, 2021
NICEVILLE, Fla.– For the fourth time this season, the #25 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers and the #17 Indian River State College Pioneers went head to head on the hardwood Friday night at the FCSAA State Tournament in Niceville, FL. Also for the fourth time, the contest went down to the wire. Unfortunately for FSW, it was Indian River squeaking out a 74-71 victory, ending the Bucs run at the tournament and putting them squarely on the bubble in their hopes for an at-large bid to the NJCAA National Tournament. It was the third loss for the Bucs this season at the hands of the Pioneers.
FSW shot 52% from the field in the second half to salvage a 42% shooting effort in the game. Oquendo led the Bucs with 16 off the bench while Campbell had 15 on 5 of 8 shooting. Cleary had 13, all in the second half, in 17 minutes of work and Roberts just missed a double-double with 12 points, and nine assists.
The Bucs fall to 18-5 on the year with the loss while Indian River will take an 18-2 mark into Saturday’s State Championship game against #9 Chipola.
FSW’s fate now lies in the hands of the NJCAA at-large committee who will determine Sunday whether the Bucs 2021 resume is enough to send them to their fourth straight National Tournament, or if their campaign will come to a close.
