LAKELAND, Fla.—On Thursday, the Fire will begin Sun Conference play with a home game against Ave Maria.
The Fire:
Last season, Southeastern finished the season with a 15-14 record, but the addition of fresh talent, through both transfers and freshmen, should help the Fire improve from last year. This season, the Fire have started 2-1 and picked up a win against semi-pro team, Pedro's Posse.
One reason for the Fire's early season success is their defense. Southeastern ranks 11th in the country in 3-pt field goal percentage defense (.267) and 16th in overall field goal percentage defense (.391). Led by senior guard, Deshaun Wilcox, who has six steals and 15 assists in the Fire's three games, Southeastern is also in the top 35 in the NAIA in the categories of steals per game (8.333) and assists per game (16.333). Wesley Johnson, the junior transfer from Charleston Southern, has contributed by averaging a team-high 20.7 points per game, while shooting 70.6 percent from the field.
The Gyrenes:
Ave Maria struggled in the 2015-2016 season, going 2-14 in the conference and 6-23 overall. This year, the Gyrenes have begun the season with a 1-2 record and have been outscored by an average of 16 points per game.
Ave Maria is captained by Deonte' Dixon, who leads the Gyrenes in points per game (19.3), while shooting .400 from behind the arc. Dixon has made 12 3-pt field goals on the year, ranking him 11th in the nation in 3-point baskets per game (4). Exor Torres acts as a facilitator of the ball for the Gyrenes, as he leads the team in assists (10). On the defensive side of the court, three Ave Maria players average greater than five rebounds per game (Dixon, Tejai Allen, and Malik Mayeaux).
Start time for the conference opener is scheduled for 7pm in the Furnace.
Live Stats
Live Video
