January 23, 2024
Thomas & Baker Combine For 47 In Bucs Win
Jaehshon Thomas and Tyrone Baker both posted career highs, combining for 47 points as the #20 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers raced past the Santa Fe Saints 87-76 Tuesday night in Citrus Conference action.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.- Jaehshon Thomas and Tyrone Baker both posted career highs, combining for 47 points as the #20 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers raced past the Santa Fe Saints 87-76 Tuesday night in Citrus Conference action.
The Bucs came out ready to go after the long trip to Gainesville, jumping out to an early 11-8 lead after a pair of buckets from Jaehshon Thomas and five straight points from Tyrone Baker. A three from AJ Hopkins cushioned the Bucs lead to a dozen at 24-12 midway through the first and the Bucs continued to score at will against the Saints, taking a 43-30 lead at the end of 20 minutes of action.
It looked like FSW was going to run away with it as Yvens Paul showed some soft touch on the inside as he dropped in a hook shot to put the Bucs up 60-41 with 14:00 to go, but the Saints weren't ready to roll over at home just yet, slicing into the Bucs lead and getting to within single digits at 70-61 with 7:00 remaining. The Bucs stopped the Saints push back there though, building their lead back to 10 before finishing things off 87-76 for a road conference win.
Thomas and Baker were the show for the Purple and Aqua as Thomas scored a career high 25 while Baker added a career high 22 in the win. No other stats were available at time of release.
The Bucs extend their win streak to eight with the victory as they improve to 15-4 overall and 5-0 in Citrus Conference play on the year. Santa Fe remains winless in league play at 0-5 and falls to 8-11 overall.
After sweeping a three game road trip, FSW will return home on Saturday when they take on Miami Dade in a noon matinee start at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.