Posted: Mar 28, 2025
CASPER, Wyo.- The #12 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers saw their 2024-2025 season come to a close Friday afternoon in the NJCAA National Tournament Sweet 16, battling to the end, but coming up just short against #3 New Mexico 62-56 to finish their campaign 25-6.
The Bucs came out ready to go, grabbing the first bucket of the game and taking a 6-4 lead on a jumper from Georgi Buzzetti 3:30 into the contest. They went cold from there though, missing their next six shots from the field as New Mexico went on an 11-0 run to go in front 15-6 with 1:11 to go in the quarter. Ivy Brown scored on a drive to end the T-Birds run, but after one, it was New Mexico in front 15-8.
The Bucs and T-Birds traded baskets to start the second as the pace began to pick up a little bit on both ends. An offensive rebound and putback from Delfina Cergneux kept it a seven point game at 23-16 four minutes in before a push from the T-Birds gave them their largest lead of the half at 31-19 with 2:46 to go in the period. Samantha Serrano scored five straight for the Bucs to close out the half, drawing FSW back to within striking distance at 33-26 as the teams went to the locker rooms at the break.
FSW looked like they were in trouble as New Mexico took their largest lead of the game at 42-29 midway through the third, but a finish in the paint from Asiana Britt sparked a furious 14-3 run for the Bucs to close the quarter to draw FSW back to within two at 45-43 at the end of three quarters of play.
The Bucs had numerous chances to tie the game or take their first lead since the first quarter early in the fourth, but missed their first five field goals of the period as it remained a two point game at 45-43. It remained a one possession game midway through the fourth at 53-50, but the Bucs just couldn't get over the hump. New Mexico went back up seven before four straight from the Bucs made it a three point game once again at 57-54 with 3:19 to go. The Bucs looked like they had a steal and a chance to get back to within one with a bucket, but instead, a foul was called on FSW and New Mexico scored on the ensuing possession to make it a five point game at 59-54. It was a three point game with a minute to go, but the Bucs just couldn't come up with the big shot, missing their final three field goal attempts of the game as New Mexico went on to win it 62-56 to end the Bucs season.
The Bucs took care of the ball the best they had all season, turning it over just six times in the contest, but they only managed to shoot 37% from the field and 17% from three while New Mexico hit on 46% of their shots on the afternoon.
Brown and Serrano scored 14 points each while Owona and Britt had 11 a piece for FSW.
FSW sees their season come to a close in the Sweet 16 for the second straight trip to the National Tournament as they finish 25-6. New Mexico marches on to the Elite 8 with a 30-3 record on the year.
