LAKELAND, Fla.—Most of the numbers lined up for Southeastern to come away with a win in the first Sun Conference game of the season.
The Fire shot well, draining 11 3-pointers, kept the Gyrenes off the boards, but failed to get the necessary stops on defense resulting in an 83-74 loss at home.
Southeastern used an 8-0 run to take a 12-point lead (28-16) halfway through the first half, with four of those points coming of the hands of freshman
Jeremy Oppenheimer.
After trailing by as many as 14, the Gyrenes clawed their way back into the game, using a combination of drives to the basket, and outside shooting. Ave Maria reclaimed the lead with 1:40 left in the half on one of nine 3-pointers made in the contest, and took a 43-40 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, the visitors shot 51% from the field, and went 5-of-7 at the free throw line to hold the Fire at bay.
A 3-pointer by freshman
Jase Miguez gave SEU a 60-59 lead with 11:50 left. The teams traded baskets, as Oppenheimer gave the Fire the lead back with a trey of his own at the 9:30 mark, but the Fire would never lead again following a 3-pointer on the next possession by Ave Maria to set off a 7-0 run.
The Fire outrebounded the Gyrenes by 10, holding them to just two offensive rebounds the whole night, but committed 16 turnovers to Ave Maria's 13. The guests were led by Tejai Allen's 27 points and Deonte' Dixon's 26. The starting five accounted for all but 12 minutes played.
Oppenheimer's 16 points off the bench led SEU. He also added eight rebounds. Deshaun Wilcox and
Harrison Hebert each scored 15. Wilcox added eight boards and two assists.
Josue Celestin had a team-best 10 rebounds.
The Fire return to action on Monday at Valdosta State.
