MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.—In the 40 minute contest against the University of the Virgin Islands, the Fire saw a microcosm of their season.
After a game of ups and downs, Southeastern emerged victorious, knocking off the Buccaneers 77-73 during the second day of play at The Athlete's Meals Classic, hosted by St. Thomas University.
The Fire (8-5) got off to a quick start, with
Linwood Ross scoring five straight points to give the Fire their biggest lead of the first half at 21-9 with 9:53 left. However, over the final 5:42 of the half, the Buccaneers went on an 18-3 run, which saw the Fire commit three turnovers, and go 0-for-7 from the field, and give UVI a 36-31 lead at the break.
Trailing by nine with 16:13 to play, the Fire began chipping away at the deficit, and tied the game at 50, thanks to a layup by
Jake Hodges, then a 3-pointer by
Larry Taylor with 11:22 to play. A jumper by Ross with 9:59 to go put the Fire up 52-50.
UVI came back to tie the game on a layup with 6:31 left, then built a 70-65 lead with 3:44 to go.
Momentum swung back in favor of the Fire, as they closed the night with a 12-3 run, going 3-for-5 from the field in the final 3:30.
Down three with 16 seconds to go, UVI attempted a game-tying shot from the left wing, but
Deshawn Wilcox deflected it and Hodges grabbed the loose ball to help secure the win.
In the second half, the Fire connected on 10-of-15 at the free throw line as the result of 11 fouls against UVI.
Hodges scored 15 of his team-high 21 points in the second half, playing all but a minute of the second half. The senior was 5-of-8 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 at the free throw line in the second half.
Ross finished with 12 points off the bench, and
Elijah Ray added 11 points and eight rebounds.
Taylor and
Caleb Konieczny each scored 11 points. Konieczny was 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.
The Fire return to action on Saturday in West Palm Beach at the English Family Classic against Florida National at 5 p.m.
