LAKELAND, Fla.—A 14-point second half lead evaporated late as Southeastern dropped its first Sun Conference game of the season to Webber International 83-76.
The Warriors shot 51.6% from the field and knocked down 7of-15 from 3-point range in the second half to overcome a seven-point halftime deficit (44-37).
A 7-0 run early in the second half by Webber International took the SEU lead down to two with 18:05 to play, but the Fire countered with a 12-2 run getting 3-pointers from
Malcolm Holman and
Riley Minix to take a 12-point lead with 13:16 left.
Alaowei Talent-Fitzgerald's dunk with 11:23 left gave Southeastern a 62-48 lead, its biggest of the game.
The Fire kept the Warriors at a distance all the way until the clock got down to 7:30 remaining. Webber International hit three straight 3-pointers to go from a 10-point deficit to a 1-point deficit. A layup by Tommie Luke gave Webber the lead and pushed it to four on the next possession with an Ariel Watson 3-pointer.
Southeastern went 3:48 without a basket until
Reggie Mesidor connected on a 3-pointer, then
Jeremy Oppenheimer converted an old fashion 3-point play to give the Fire a 76-74 lead.
The Fire were held scoreless the final 2:00 of the game, turning the ball over twice and committing two turnovers.
Oppenheimer led the team with 27 points with Talent-Fitzgerald adding 15 off the bench.
Karl Jeanty posted a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Southeastern will continue Sun Conference play on Saturday at Warner with the game starting at 4 p.m.
