Box Score LAKELAND, Fla.—In one of the quickest endings to a Silent Night game in college basketball, the fast start by the host Fire men's basketball team wasn't enough in a 93-75 loss to Webber International in The Sun Conference opener.
The fans remained silent until the Fire reached 10 points in the game, which only took 2:32 to accomplish, thanks to a 3-pointer by
Xavier Burrow, which gave Southeastern (5-2) an 11-0 advantage. Webber International answered right back with a 13-0 run to take a two-point lead with 13:24 left in the first.
The two teams traded the lead with back-and-forth baskets for the next two minutes, but the Warriors (6-6) gave themselves some distance with a 10-0 run that spanned 3:27 and put Webber up 27-18 with 7:46 left in the first. They never trailed again.
In the second half, the Warriors ran away and hid thanks to hitting 60% (21-of-35) from the field, and outscored the Fire 57-40.
The inability to make defensive stops, and take care of the basketball (21 turnovers) negated a solid shooting (41.9% FG) and rebounding (12 offensive, 28 defensive) night.
Individually, junior
Elijah Ray scored a game-high 23 points, and snagged a game-high 17 rebounds.
Jake Hodges was also in double figures in scoring with 12 points.
The Fire face their first road conference test on Saturday at Johnson and Wales University at 4 p.m.
