Box Score Barbourville, Ky. – In a game in which five different Fire players were double digit scorers, the Southeastern men's basketball team picked up its first win of the season in an impressive 82-56 takedown of the Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs, a fellow receiving votes team.
The opening minutes of the contest were a back and forth exchange between the Fire and the Bulldogs, with six different lead changes in the first six minutes. However, in a span of two minutes, the Fire went on a 16-0 run to take a 28-12 lead with 10:48 remaining in the half. Three different players sunk three point shots to fuel the run for SEU.
The Bulldogs retaliated, forging an 8-1 run of their own to cut the Fire lead to as low as eight with eight minutes to go in the half. However, back to back three pointers made by junior guard
Harry Hebert helped the Fire fend off the Bulldogs and take a 40-30 lead into the half. Herbert led SEU in scoring at the half with nine points scored, all coming off three point shots.
TWU was held well below its 2015-16 first half points scored per game average of 40.9.
Southeastern opened up the second half on a 19-8 run to increase their lead to 21 with 13:38 remaining. Over the next five minutes of play the Fire outscored the Bulldogs 21-10 in the pain to take their largest lead of the game at 28 with 8:10 remaining.
The SEU defense continued to be stingy down the stretch, not allowing TWU to cut the deficit any closer than 24. The Fire defense responded after a tough day yesterday; holding the Bulldogs to 29.2% shooting from the floor, holding the rebound advantage 52-43, and forcing 18 turnovers.
"Our guys took it personal after last night. They talked on defense, contested shots well, and responded to the scouting report," shared Head Coach
R-Jay Barsh
Freshman guard
Jeremy Oppenheimer led the Fire in scoring with 14 points, nine coming in the second half. The Zephyrhills, Fla. native was an all-around performer off the bench for SEU, shooting 2-3 from three point range, recording three rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal.
The Fire received a stellar 45 point performance from its bench.
The 82-56 win was the largest margin of victory for the Fire in a road or neutral site game since 1/22/15 versus Florida Memorial.
"This was a huge win for our young team. To get a win in an uncomfortable environment is the reason we schedule ourselves in these situations. It helps us get better," commented Coach Barsh.
The Fire will close out their slate of games in the Southern Challenge as they take on Bluefield College tomorrow at 2 p.m.
