MIAMI, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers got out to a hot start, but couldn't maintain their early momentum, dropping a 60-55 decision to Central Georgia Tech for their first loss of the 2024-2025 season.
The Bucs came out hot against the Titans as Jeremy Innocent opened up the scoring with a dunk in the opening minute and K'Jei Parker hit a three behind that to give FSW a quick 5-0 lead a minute and a half in. After Central Georgia Tech got on the board with a three, the Bucs scored seven straight to open up a 12-3 lead at the 15:00 mark of the first. The Bucs went up 10 on a layup from Abdoulaye Konate with 12:49 remaining in the half, but the Titans came storming back, scoring the next nine straight to cut the Bucs lead to just one at 16-15 with 9:37 to go in the period. The teams took turns with the lead from there, going back and forth for the last nine minutes of the half, playing to a 29-29 stalemate into the locker rooms at the break.
The Bucs opened up the second as they did the first, with a big slam, this time by Chol Machot to put them back in front, but seven straight from the Titans flipped the script and put Central Georgia Tech on top 36-31. The Bucs worked their way back into the game and a three from Eugene Alvin tied things back up with 16:35 to go before Machot capped an 11-0 run for FSW with a pair of dunks to put the Bucs back in front 42-36. The game of runs continued as Central Georgia Tech answered back and tied the score back up at 43 at the midway point of the period. Neither team could buy a bucket over the next five minutes as they remained tied at 47 with 5:07 to go. The Bucs faced an uphill battle as they fell behind 55-51 with just 1:40 to go until a pair of free throws from Ahmed Souhmahoro got them back to within one possession with under a minute left. The Titans answered with a basket to go back up four and the Bucs never recovered, turning it over on their next possession and eventually falling 60-55 for their first loss of the year.
The Bucs shot 44% from the field in the loss, but were hammered on the glass, giving up 14 offensive rebounds, allowing the Titans 13 more field goal attempts in the contest. Machot was the lone Buc to score in double figures with 13 while the big man also led FSW with 7 rebounds in the loss.
FSW drops their first of the year, falling to 4-1, while Central Georgia Tech improves to 3-2.
The Bucs will look to get back on track in a quick turnaround Saturday when they take on Southern Union State in a 12:30 tip in Miami.
