LAKELAND, Fla.—"Break" is probably not the word you would use to describe this week for the Southeastern University men's basketball team.
The Fire will host three contests this week, then will head to South Dakota to face a pair of Top 10 teams before returning to Sun Conference play four days into the new decade.
During last weekend's SEU Classic, Southeastern took No. 17 Saint Francis to overtime after trailing by 15, but ultimately lost 83-72, then took care of Toccoa Falls by the count of 101-81.
Senior
Jeremy Oppenheimer had a season-high 25 in the win on Saturday, which was the most the four-year starter had in a game since scoring 26 against Florida Memorial his freshman year. Additionally, the Zephyrhills native converted on 8-of-11 from the field, good for 72.7% and the sixth time in 13 games he's shot 50% or better from the field.
Karl Jeanty is moving up the NAIA leaderboard in rebounding after hauling in 12 against Toccoa Falls, which included nine on the offensive side. It was Jeanty's fifth game with 10 or more rebounds. His 2.9 offensive boards per game is 27
th nationally and his 8.46 total rebounds per game is 38
th nationally.
Taylor comes to The Furnace with an 8-5 record and are coming off a 102-55 win over Simmons College of Kentucky. The Trojans have held opponents to an average of 32.4 rebounds per game which ranks 18
th-best in NAIA Division II. CJ Penha averages a double-double at 17.6 poins and 11 rebounds per game.
Southeastern is 3-4 against Crossroads League teams since the 2016-17 season, which includes a win over Taylor in 2016, when it was ranked seventh nationally.
William Jessup will take on the Fire Friday afternoon to wrap up a three-game swing through Florida. The Warriors were a 77-74 winner at Flagler last night to improve to 7-3 on the season. WJU will take on Spring Arbor, which played in the NAIA Division II championship last year at The Furnace tomorrow.
The Warriors are one of the top free throw shooting teams in NAIA Division I at 74.5%, ranking 12
th nationally. Additionally, they shoot the 3-pointer well (10.1 per game) and defend it to the tune of 31%.
Isaiah Milan averages 19 points and 5.1 rebounds per game to lead William Jessup.
The week concludes with an exhibition game against NCAA Division II Walsh, which will see Saint Leo the night before.
Walsh is 8-1 on the season and averages 93.1 points per game, and limits its opponents to just 78.7 points per game. For the season, the Cavaliers are shooting 52.1% from the field, are 43.7% from 3-point range, and make an average of 13 three's per game.
