LAKELAND, Fla.—The Southeastern University men's basketball team followed up a win in their home-opener with an 85-63 win Monday night against the University of Puerto Rico Bayamon. Senior Blake Morrow spearheaded the Fire attack, totaling 21 points and three assists.
The Fire got out to a quick 11-2 lead before the 16:00 mark with the help of Devon Ford, who scored four of his eight total points in that stretch. Southeastern held the lead for the entire game, but UPRB did cut the lead down to just to four with the score at 29-25 with 8:45 left in the half. The Fire would go on a 13-4 run from that point on to take a 42-29 lead with 30 seconds remaining before halftime. Alowei Talent-Fitzgerald sparked the run for Southeastern, scoring seven of his ten total points. UPRB would hit a three just before time ran out and the Fire went into the locker room with a ten-point lead.
With the score at 62-51 with 7:05 left in the game, the Fire broke the game wide open with an 11-1 run extending the lead to 73-52. Jeremy Oppenheimer and Morrow led the Southeastern run with Morrow converting an and-one and a three while Oppenheimer connected on a three of his own. Morrow turned it on in the second half, scoring 16 of his 21 points after halftime. UPRB couldn't get back into the game and the Fire ended up taking the 85-63 victory.
The difference in the game was made by the Fire defense. They forced UPRB to turn the ball over 23 times and took advantage of them, scoring 26 points off turnovers. Isaiah Moody, Karl Jeanty, and Oppenheimer had three steals apiece in the effort. Oppenheimer and Jeanty added 15 and nine points each.
Moody filled the stat sheet as he totaled nine points, eight rebounds, and four assists to go along with his three steals.
Talent-Fitzgerald was another standout for the Fire as he was just a rebound shy of a double-double.
The Fire next take the court on November 21st at 7:30 pm when they travel to take on Coastal Georgia.
