LAKELAND, Fla.—A total of 13 3-pointers, and a 46% effort from the field propelled Southeastern's men's basketball team to a 94-69 win over Thomas University Thursday night.
The Fire (13-6, 3-3 TSC) got a balanced scoring effort, paced by 22 points, eight rebounds, and two assists from senior
Larry Taylor and 22 points, eight rebounds and two assists from classmate
Jake Hodges.
After trailing 46-30 at the half, the Night Hawks (6-11, 0-4 TSC) cut the deficit to 10 (50-40) with 16:56 to play in the second. The Fire then went on a 19-0 run, spanning 5:11, allowing SEU to take a 29-point lead with 11:45 to play.
"We got some rest yesterday, so I think we had fresh legs," said coach
R-Jay Barsh. "Our motto today was a full 40. With a couple guys down with injuries, we told guys they would need to step up and play hard."
The lead hit as many as 31 after a pair of
Caleb Konieczny free throws with 7:31 left. The senior finished the night with 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
With 1:07 to play in the game,
Matt Crowe hit his career-best fifth 3-pointer of the night, giving him a career high 15 points.
Despite the absence of center and leading rebounder
Elijah Ray, the Fire outrebounded Thomas 48-41.
"In pregame, we talk about every guy going out and getting five rebounds," said Barsh. "The collectiveness of team rebounding has been big for us without Elijah."
The Night Hawks shot just 35% from the field, 27% from 3-point range, and 52% at the line.
The Fire return to action Wednesday at home against Florida Memorial.
