Posted: Jan 25, 2025
MIAMI, Fla.- It was blood in the water for the Miami Dade Sharks Saturday afternoon as they jumped on the #13 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers early and never relented, taking a 21-2 lead to start the game in route to a 77-51 victory to bring FSW's 13 game winning streak to a screeching halt.
FSW was outmatched from the opening tip on Saturday, falling behind 8-0 just two minutes into the game before their deficit grew to 21-2 by the 3:00 mark in the first as they started the game 1-10 shooting with nine turnovers. The Bucs finally found some footing at the end of the first, but after one, it was still all Miami Dade, leading 27-10.
It was more of the same in the second as Miami Dade scored the first 11 of the period, holding FSW without a single point for the first 3:10 of the quarter as the Bucs deficit grew to 38-10. After finally getting on the board in the second with 6:10 to go, they went on their best run of the game, scoring 11 straight to cut the Shark lead to 38-21, but Miami Dade answered right back with an 8-2 run to blow it back open to a 46-23 game with 1:30 remaining in the half. The teams traded buckets before the break with Miami Dade heading to the half with a commanding 48-26 advantage on the Bucs.
Miami Dade padded their lead to 27 midway through the third and blew it open to a 30 point lead late in the period before settling for a 68-39 lead at the end of three.
With the game well in hand, Miami Dade stepped off the gas in the fourth and FSW was able to win the fourth quarter, but at the final horn it was still all Sharks as they dribbled out a 77-51 win to shock the 13th ranked Bucs and bring their 13 game winning streak to a abrupt end.
FSW shot just 29% in the game and finished with 22 turnovers while Miami Dade shot 41% and turned it over just 12 times. Ivy Brown led FSW with 14 points and 13 rebounds in the loss, Samantha Serrano was the only other FSW player to finish in double figures with 14, 10 of those coming in the fourth quarter.
The Bucs lose for the first time since Thanksgiving as they fall to 15-4 overall and 9-1 in Citrus Conference play while Miami Dade earns a big win to improve to 14-7 overall and 8-3 in league action.
FSW will look to get back on track Wednesday when they return home to Suncoast Credit Union Arena for a 5 PM tip against Santa Fe in a makeup game of last Wednesday's game that was postponed due to travel issues for the Saints. Bucs fans can use their tickets from the January 22nd postponed game for entrance on Wednesday.
