February 22, 2025
FSW Clinches Citrus Conference Championship
The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers are the 2025 Citrus Conference Champions! FSW went on the road and took care of business against the Santa Fe Saints 75-56, with five players scoring in double figures including Sarah Owona and Elina Briede who notched career highs as the Bucs improved to 15-1 in league play to clinch the title with two regular season games left to go.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers are the 2025 Citrus Conference Champions! FSW went on the road and took care of business against the Santa Fe Saints 75-56, with five players scoring in double figures including Sarah Owona and Elina Briede who notched career highs as the Bucs improved to 15-1 in league play to clinch the title with two regular season games left to go.
The Bucs got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 20-11 lead at the end of one quarter of action.
FSW continued to build on their lead in the second quarter, getting it done on both ends of the court, holding Santa Fe to just 11 points while cushioning their advantage to 39-22 at the end of 20 minutes of action.
The Bucs took their foot off the gas in the third and Santa Fe took advantage, trimming the FSW lead to a baker's dozen at 53-40 as the teams went to the fourth.
With the title in sight, FSW made one last push in the fourth, lighting it up for 22 points as they ran away with a 75-56 win to win their first Conference Championship since the 2022 season.
It was a true team effort for FSW in the win as they finished with 22 assists on 27 made baskets, shooting 50% from the field as a team while connecting on 46% from three point land and 79% from the free throw line. Five players scored in double figures led by Samantha Serrano who had 19 and Sarah Owona and Elina Briede who notched career highs with 17 and 11 respectively.
FSW wins their sixth straight to improve to 21-4 overall and clinches their first Conference Championship in three seasons with a 15-1 mark with two games left to go. Santa Fe falls to 8-18 overall and 4-12 in league play which all but eliminates the Saints from postseason contention.
Bucs fans can celebrate the Championship with the team on Wednesday when they return home to take on Miami Dade in a 5 PM start in Suncoast Credit Union Arena. It is the final home game of the 2025 season for the Bucs and will serve as their Sophomore Night as the team recognizes their five players playing in Fort Myers for the final time in their careers in a pregame ceremony beginning at approximately 4:55 PM.