WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—Late defensive stands and clutch buckets enabled No. 11 Southeastern to escape with a victory over the Keiser University Seahawks 62-61 on Saturday evening. The victory preserves the Fire's perfect league record (4-0) and improved the team's overall record to 7-1 on the season.
The Fire held the Seahawks to a mere 11.1% shooting (3-27) through the first 15 minutes, while Southeastern shot 10-19 during the span. This allowed SEU to jump out to a 29-10 advantage with around five minutes to go in the opening half. During the run, junior
Jeremy Oppenheimer had seven quick points.
However, just before the end of the first half, Keiser closed the remaining time with a 19-4 spurt to cut the Fire lead to four at halftime (33-29).
Keiser continued a firm defensive stretch to tie the ballgame at 37 just 2:37 into the second period. The Seahawks utilized a 34-10 stretch spanning the end of the first and beginning of the second half to eventually take a 57-48 lead.
The defining moments in the game then came with just under seven minutes remaining as the Fire trailed by nine.
Sophomore
Isaiah Moody scored the next five points in the contest to cut the deficit to two with four minutes left. After the teams traded buckets on the next possession, Moody stole the ball and sprung
Linwood Ross for a fast-break jam that cut the lead to a single possession again.
Moody, who finished tied for the team-high with 11 points, then connected on a layup through contact to put SEU up 60-59 with 1:48 left. This marked the first time the Fire had led in the last 15 minutes of gameplay.
"We've been preaching getting to the free throw line and getting stops and rebounds all week in practice. Isaiah [Moody] made great plays getting to the line and finishing down the stretch," said Head Coach
R-Jay Barsh.
Following a layup by Keiser, Southeastern, who got the ball down 61-60, had one chance to regain the lead. As
Josiah Barsh drove into the lane, he was fouled with 5.6 seconds remaining, but coolly sunk both to give SEU another one-point advantage.
Barsh's free throws capped off a 14-4 run to end the game for the Fire as Keiser's final attempt clanked off the rim as time expired. SEU, who forced key turnovers in the final minutes, capitalized with 23 points off of turnovers to the Seahawks' 11.
Barsh and
Dylan Causwell each also had 11 points, while Causwell added six rebounds for the Fire.
"Today was a big road win. When you play in one of the toughest conferences in America and can go on the road and get a conference win, it's a big deal," stated Coach Barsh. He added, "I'm really proud of our guys for sticking together and coming out of here with a win."
SEU will host Ave Maria in its next contest on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
