Box Score KINGSPORT, Tenn.—The Fire men's basketball team left the NAIA Division II Showcase with a 1-1 record, falling to West Virginia Tech 83-65.
In a game that featured seven ties and seven lead changes, most of which were in the first half, the Fire (5-1) trailed just 35-31 after 20 minutes of play.
The contest was tied at 51 with 12:43 left thanks to a 3-pointer by
Jake Hodges, who finished with 10 points. During the next 3:36, West Virginia Tech (6-3) went on a 12-0 run, and eventually, built the advantage to 16 with 6:31 to go and coasted to an 18-point win.
In the second half, WVUT shot 61% from the field, compared to 43% for the Fire. Turnovers also plagued SEU, committing 17 of them compared to just seven by its opponent.
Xavier Burrow was the team's leading scorer with 16 points, and dished out four assists.
Matt Crowe added 12 points, three rebounds and an assist to the effort, and
Elijah Ray scored 11 points and hauled in nine rebounds.
The Fire open up Sun Conference play on Wednesday when they host Webber International at 7:30 p.m.
