Florida SouthWestern Beats the Rock, Shatters Records in Home Opener

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Fort Myers, FL– The preseason #3 ranked FSW Buccaneers (JHS #8) put on a show in their home opener last night (Monday) against the Victory Rock Blue Devils. Now 6-0 in season openers, FSW scored the winning points mid-way through the first half. That’s when the Bucs tossed in their 52nd point, which bested the Blue Devils point total of 51 after 40 minutes.

In the process of beating Victory Rock for the sixth straight time, Florida SouthWestern had a record breaking night. Or should we say, “records” breaking night. At last count their were seven, and even though the polls were closed, the votes were still being counted. Sorry about that.

The Buccaneers set new high marks for points in a game, 146 (23 better than the old mark), field goals made (55), field goal percentage (66%), three pointers made (22), assists (42), single game assists (Marcus Niblack & Jordan Mitchell- 15), and individual single game field goal percentage of 93% (Justin Archer, 13-14).

Their were no lead changes, and one tie. That tie occurred :30 into the contest. FSW controlled the tip and scored first. Victory Rock answered. Shortly thereafter, there was a power failure inside Suncoast Credit Union Arena. No, the lights didn’t fail, things just went completely dark for the visiting Blue Devils. Over the next 4 and 1/2 minutes of game time, the Bucs tossed in 24 unanswered points, essentially putting the game away.

By halftime the lead had stretched to a comfortable 51 points, at 75-24. Final score: 146-51. Five Bucs finished with double figures. Phillip Smith led the way with a game high 34 points on 13-19 FG’s (8-14 from distance). Archer, a 6’7″ FR Forward (North Brunswick, NJ), transfer from Vincennes, was next with 27, adding 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Archer was a 2021 NJCAA All-American.

6’7″ SO forward from Brazil, Jonathan Dos Anjos closed with 21 pts. and 8 rebounds. Omar Rowe (6’5″ FR G from Queens, NY) contributed 20 points to go along with 6 boards, with Cameron Stitt finishing with 12. Marcus Niblock (6’2′ FR G from Leesburg, FL), in addition to his record breaking 15 assist, found a game high ten rebounds for the unconventional double-double.

Lost in the glitter of all the broken records, Rhyjon Blackwell (6’0″ FR G, Baldwin, NY) had a game high 8 assists. Notably, FSW, recorded 42 direct assists on their 55 made baskets. The Bucs doubled up the Blue Devils on the boards, and forced 31 turnovers.

Next up for the Bucs is Saturday, Nov. 5, when they travel to Gainesville to take on the Santa Fe College Saints.

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