Box Score LAKELAND, Fla.- Coming out of the locker room at the half, the Fire scored seven straight points, and took a 10-point lead over NAIA Division I #24 Evangel.
But, it's more about how you finish than how you start.
The Crusaders came back with a 14-2 run and ended the night with an 80-66 win over Southeastern.
Following a 3-pointer by Caleb Konieczny to take a 46-36 lead with 18:00 left in the second half, the Fire went 1-for-6 shooting with a pair of turnovers while Evangel (6-4) mounted their comeback.
Southeastern (5-3) dusted itself off and took a 53-50 lead with 11:53 to go on a 3-pointer by Matt Crowe. The final haymaker was thrown by the Crusaders with a 20-2 run spanning greater than seven minutes. The Fire got no closer than 11 the rest of the night.
Evangel went 18-of-31 from the field in the second half, and hit four of its seven 3-pointers in the second 20 minutes. The Fire were 9-of-31 during the second half, which included a 2-of-10 showing from beyond the arc.
The first half was tight throughout, with both teams holding a maximum lead of four. There were seven ties and seven lead changes in the first 20 minutes.
Senior Tim Mitchell recorded his fourth double-double of the season, scoring 16 points, and grabbing 11 rebounds. Senior Dana Thomas also added 16 points, had three rebounds, a block, and three steals. Senior Andre' Winston chipped in 13 points, four assists, four rebounds, and four steals.
Kory Tillery led the way for Evangel with 24 points and 11 rebounds; he was one of four Crusaders in double figures.
Next up for the Fire will be the Chuck Daly Classic hosted by Northwood University on January 2nd and 3rd. SEU will face Concordia College of Canada and Florida National University during the event.
