LAKELAND, Fla. – After a pair of tough losses to the two teams atop the Sun Conference standings, the Southeastern University men's basketball team will move forward and look to gain momentum heading into the final stretch of conference play. The Fire were on the wrong side of a comeback effort versus Warner University. The Royals erased an 18 point SEU lead with under 12 minutes to go in regulation to send things into overtime where they would pull away for the win. The Fire had to conjure up some comeback theatrics of their own on the road at Florida Memorial, trailing by as many as 21 in the first half. Southeastern battled back and took the lead in the second half, however, the Fire fell a missed three point shot at the buzzer from junior guard C.J. Reese short of tying things up at the end of regulation.
GAMES: Thomas (10-5, 5-4 TSC) vs. RV Southeastern (11-11, 2-7 TSC) Thursday 6 p.m. | RV Southeastern (11-11, 2-7 TSC) vs. St. Thomas (14-6, 5-3 TSC) Saturday 7 p.m.
COVERAGE: Thomas:
Live Stats Video St. Thomas:
Live Stats Video
OPP & REESE: The play of guards Reese and freshman
Jeremy Oppenheimer have been carrying the Fire offense as of late. In the last three games, the duo has accounted for 52.1% of points scored, 52.4% of field goals made, and 66.7% of three point field goals made for SEU. Reese has posted three consecutive games with 25 points or more scored, while Oppenheimer is shooting 50.7% from the floor and 41.2% from three point range in the month of January. During the month, the two are also shooting 80% from the charity stripe.
PREVIOUS THOMAS: The Fire split the pair of regular season meetings with the Night Hawks last season. In the first meeting, SEU hit a total of 13 three pointers and used a 19-0 run in the second half to earn a convincing 94-69 win in The Furnace. The glass was not kind to the Fire during the second meeting in Thomasville. SEU shot just 34.8% from the field and 23.8% from behind the arc to fall 93-54. Forward Jalen Bonds who averaged 14.5 points per game versus Southeastern last season as a freshman, returns for the Night Hawks. SEU leads the all-time series versus Thomas 5-2.
PREVIOUS ST. THOMAS: The Fire will look to avenge a 74-55 road loss to the Bobcats earlier this season. In the game, SEU was able to cut the STU lead to one possession in the second half three times. However, St. Thomas strung together a 16-3 run late in the second half which was fueled by a bench that outscored the SEU reserves 24-5. The Fire will look to protect the ball, as they committed 18 turnovers in the previous contest. The Bobcats lead the all-time series 11-5.
THE NIGHT HAWKS: After being picked to finish sixth in the conference preseason poll, Thomas has turned heads as of late with some signature wins. Earlier this month, the Night Hawks won back to back road games versus St. Thomas and Keiser, who were both ranked in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 at the time. Most recently, Thomas upended Ave Maria 84-58 to improve to move up to fourth in the conference standings with a 5-4 record in conference play. Junior guard Javoris Cooks has led the way offensively for Thomas this season, averaging 19 points per game and having been a double digit scorer in every contest this season.
THE BOBCATS: St. Thomas has displayed zero indicators of slowing down after beating Southeastern. The Bobcats have now won four straight and most recently, took down No. 18 Keiser on the road 74-70. However, protecting the ball continues to be a problem for St. Thomas, as they are averaging 15.3 turnovers per game during the win streak. Sophomore guard Raheem Bowman continues to be a dominant force for STU in the post, having notched 12 double-doubles on the season including two in his last three games. However, the Fire were able to get Bowman in foul trouble earlier this season and limit the big man to six points and seven rebounds.
