LAKELAND, Fla.—The Fire men's basketball team will face Warner and Webber International this week as it looks for its first win in 2018.
SEU defeated both of its Polk County rivals during its first lap through The Sun Conference, beating Webber 98-67 on November 16
th at The Furnace, then scored a thrilling 79-77 win in Lake Wales two days later.
With two wins this week, the Fire will be 4-0 against its fellow Polk County institutions; something that hasn't been done since the national semifinal team did it in 2013-14. Something that had never been accomplished prior to that season.
Last week, St. Thomas and Florida Memorial combined to knock down 17-of-40 3-point attempts (42.5%) compared to SEU's 12-of-38 (31.6%). Additionally, the Fire had 10 shots blocked, and missed 17 free throws.
Individually,
Ryan Atkins continued his dominant season, posting 56 points, shooting 53% from the field, and sinking 15 of his 16 free throw attempts.
Josiah Barsh had a solid week, averaging 12 points per game, and going 9-of-19 from the floor.
Against Florida Memorial,
Grant Bryant scored 14 points, and picked up 10 rebounds, good for his third double-double of the season. His 6.11 rebounds per game rank 11
th in The Sun Conference, just behind teammate
Isaac Barsh.
Warner will be looking to erase a bad taste from its mouth, after a heartbreaking 98-97 loss in overtime at home to Keiser on Saturday. Leading scorer Melton Sanders had a season-best 35 points, and Nick Macon added 31 as well as 11 assists.
Macon's 7.63 assists per game rank fourth in NAIA Division II this season. His favorite target has been Sanders, who averages 19.8 points per game, ranking fifth in The Sun Conference.
Webber International will travel to Ave Maria on Thursday before hosting the Fire on Saturday. In the previous meeting, the Fire held the Warriors to just 34% from the field, while hitting 50% from the field. Leading scorer Osandai Vaughn scored 13 points, with seven coming at the free throw line. Vaughn is averaging nearly 21 points and seven rebounds per game.
For updates in-game, follow @SEUFireMBB on Twitter.
