February 21, 2026
Defense Falters Late in Loss to #25 Daytona
For the second straight game, the Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers watched a good first half go for naught as after taking a lead into the locker rooms at half against the #25 Daytona State Falcons, the Bucs allowed 50 second half points and fell going away, 87-68 to end their chances at defending their Citrus Conference Championship.
FORT MYERS, Fla.- For the second straight game, the Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers watched a good first half go for naught as after taking a lead into the locker rooms at half against the #25 Daytona State Falcons, the Bucs allowed 50 second half points and fell going away, 87-68 to end their chances at defending their Citrus Conference Championship.
The Bucs got off to a bit of a slow start, not scoring their first basket until the 6:35 mark of the first quarter as Daytona jumped out to a 7-1 lead. They picked it up from there though, going on a 10-2 run midway through the period capped by a three from Damia Worthy to take their first lead of the afternoon at 19-15. They defended their lead to the first quarter horn, holding a 21-20 advantage after 10 minutes of action.
The action continued to be nip and tuck in the second as the Bucs and Falcons went back and forth with Daytona grabbing a three point lead at 29-26 midway through the period. It was a two point game in favor of the Falcons with time winding down in the half when Chelsea Bishop launched a prayer at the buzzer that was answered, giving FSW a 38-37 lead into the locker rooms at the half.
After six minutes of action in the third, nothing had been decided with the Bucs and Falcons deadlocked at 48. An offensive rebound and putback for the Falcons opened up a run for Daytona as they outscored FSW 14-7 to close the period and take a 62-55 lead at the end of three.
The Bucs continued to put points on the board in the fourth quarter, but had no answer for the run and gun Daytona offense. The Falcons pushed their lead back to double digits midway through the quarter and held FSW without a single field goal over the final 6:49 of the game, building up their lead and running away with an 87-68 win.
The Bucs shot just 38% from the field in the defeat while Daytona hit on 57% of their field goal attempts and 60% from downtown. Four Bucs finished in double figured in scoring led by Bishop who put up 19 and Amelia Williams who had a dozen in her first career start.
The Bucs chances at defending their 2025 Citrus Conference Championship come to a close with the defeat as Daytona sweeps the three game season series against FSW. The Bucs fall to 18-10 overall and 11-5 in conference play with the loss while Daytona State clinches a share of the Citrus Conference Championship, improving to 21-4 overall and 13-2 in league play.
FSW plays at home for the final time this season on Wednesday on Sophomore Night in Suncoast Arena. The Bucs will recognize their five sophomores playing for the final time in Fort Myers in a pregame ceremony ahead of their 5 PM tip with the Santa Fe Saints.