January 14, 2026
Bucs Defense Lock Down Titans for Citrus Win
The Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers defense tightened the screws, holding the Eastern Florida State Titans to just 32% shooting and 45 points in a 65-45 victory Wednesday night at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers defense tightened the screws, holding the Eastern Florida State Titans to just 32% shooting and 45 points in a 65-45 victory Wednesday night at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.
Points were at a premium early on between the Bucs and the Titans as midway through the first the teams were tied at just 5 points a side. Things didn't pick up too much for the final five minutes of the period either as it took a late Damia Worthy to Destinie Gordon hookup for FSW to put the Bucs back ahead 11-10 at the end of one.
Eastern Florida scored the first five points of the second quarter to quickly take a four point lead at 15-11 but FSW held the Titans without a point over the next 6:30 to turn the tides and take a 19-15 advantage with 3:00 to go in the half. The teams traded buckets to the break as FSW went to the locker rooms at the half with a 23-18 lead.
The Bucs got the first four of the second half to open their lead to nine and held the Titans without a field goal for the first 3:52 as the gap reached double digits at 30-19. An offense rebound and putback from Chelsea Bishop made it a 13 point game in favor of the Purple and Aqua and at the end of three the Bucs were in control, leading it 44-32.
Eastern made things interesting early in the fourth with a pair of quick threes, but a timeout reset the Bucs and in no time they were back up double digits at 52-41 after a Kiara Harris three. It was all Bucs down the stretch as FSW held Eastern Florida without a single made basket over the final 5:57 of the contest, ballooning their lead before finishing off a 65-45 victory.
Bishop led the Bucs with an 18 point, 11 rebound double-double while reigning FCSAA Player of the Week Destinie Gordon put up 14 and Delfina Cergneux had her best scoring effort since opening weekend with 13.
The Bucs improve to 12-6 on the year with the win while moving back into a first place tie in the Citrus Conference standings at 5-1. Eastern Florida's early season struggles continue as they fall to 6-12 overall and 1-5 in league play.
The Bucs win, coupled with a Daytona State loss Wednesday night puts first place back on the line Saturday when the two square off in Daytona in a 2 PM tip.