Fire Out-shoot Screaming Eagles to Split Weekend

LAKELAND, Fla.- On an afternoon where the entire Fire starting five totaled 15 points or more, the RV Southeastern University men's basketball team soared past the Toccoa Falls College Screaming Eagles 101-81 to split their participation in the Southeastern Invitational 1-1 and improve to 9-4 on the season.

Toccoa Falls opened up the contest with fluidity from three-point range, hitting four three pointers within the first five minutes of play to take a 14-12 lead over Southeastern with 15:26 to go in the first half.

Senior center Devon Ford used his size to exploit the Screaming Eagles defensively and help the Fire stay poised. The Loganville, Georgia native scored 13 of his 15 points and hauled in eight of his nine points in the first half.

Senior guard Blake Morrow also found success from the field in the first 20 minutes of action, totaling 12 of his 15 points in the first half, going 2-4 from three-point range.

Leading by as many as 14 in the first half, the Fire took a 50-40 lead over the Screaming Eagles into the locker room at halftime. SEU shot 50% (21-42) from the field in the first half, however, nine first-half three pointers made by TFC helped keep the deficit manageable.

Southeastern opened up the second half on a 12-2 run to take a commanding 62-42 lead over Toccoa Falls with 16:37 to go in the second half.

The Screaming Eagles responded with an impressive 12-0 run, holding the Fire scoreless for 4:25. However, SEU immediately retaliated with an 11-0 run of their own to go back up 76-56 with 9:15 to go in regulation.

Senior guard Jeremy Oppenheimer showed his leadership on the court, taking control of the game midway through the second half. 18 of Oppenheimer's game-leading 25 points came in the second half, 12 of which were scored in the final 11 minutes of play.

Junior guard Isaiah Moody scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half, coming up just two points shy of tying his career high. Junior forward Karl Jeanty notched his fourth double-double of the season, totaling 15 points and hauling in 12 rebounds.

The Fire play their first of three games in The Furnace next week on Wednesday versus Taylor University. Tip-off is slated for 5:00 p.m. eastern.