Box Score LAKELAND, Fla.- In his first game of the season, senior Tim Mitchell scored 26 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and blocked three shots in a 92-85 overtime win over previously unbeaten Warner University.
Southeastern (4-1, 2-0 TSC) held a 73-67 lead with 2:30 to play in regulation, but the Royals finished the half on an 8-2 run to force the extra session. This included a 3-point jumper in the left corner by Jason Pospichal to tie the game at 75 with 15 seconds to go.
"When they hit the shot to give us another five minutes, I'm just glad I had (Mitchell)," said Coach R-Jay Barsh.
The Fire dominated the extra session, hitting seven of their eight shots from the field, and taking their biggest lead of the night on a pair of free throws by Matt Crowe to go up 92-82.
Mitchell was a force in the final 25 minutes of the game, scoring 21 of his game-high 26 in the second half and in overtime.
After taking a five-point lead with 15:14 to go in the first half, the Royals (9-1, 0-1 TSC) went on a 12-2 run to take a five-point lead of their own with 12:41 to go in the half. Mitchell scored five straight points to tie the game at 19 with 11:56 to play.
The Royals took their biggest lead of the game at the end of a 9-1 run to go up 33-26 with 5:30 left in the first. At the half, the Royals led 43-40.
Southeastern tied the game at 57 on a free throw by Mitchell with 12:00 to go in the second, and regained the lead at the 9:39 mark when Caleb Konieczny converted a layup in the lane, to go up 61-60.
Dana Thomas added a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds to the winning effort. Andre' Winston added 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals off the bench. Konieczny was also in double figures with 13 points, and five rebounds.
"Over Dana's career, every time we've needed him to step up, he has," said Barsh.
The Fire next take the court on Thursday for the SEU This One's For ____ Classic.
