LAKELAND, Fla.—The Southeastern University men's basketball team defeated No. 22 Keiser 83-74 to move them to 14-5 (7-1 TSC) on the season. The win also moves them into the top spot in the Sun Conference. Senior guard Jeremy Oppenheimer led a balanced attack for the Fire with 22 points. Southeastern had five players reach double-digits in scoring on the night.
A back and forth first half led to a Keiser advantage of 38-35 at the half. Oppenheimer scored eight points in the opening half, doing most of his damage in the paint and that would continue in the second half as he gave the Fire buckets when they needed them. Senior guard Blake Morrow was a spark off the bench in this one, as he chipped in seven points of his own in the first half.
Southeastern came out firing in the second half and with the score tied at 49, Oppenheimer converted a layup that gave them a lead they wouldn't let up. Over the next seven minutes of play, the Fire went on an 18-5 run that gave them a commanding 67-54 lead. The run resembled much of the game as five different Fire players contributed points. Morrow, Isaiah Moody, Devon Ford, all joined Oppenheimer over the stretch that put Keiser away.
The Fire sealed the win late using the free-throw line, scoring their last eight points from the stripe. Southeastern was nearly perfect from the line on the night as they converted 23-24 of their attempts.
Morrow, Moody, and Ford were key for the Fire off the bench as they combined for 37 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
The Fire return to action on Saturday the 18th at 4:00 pm when they travel to Ave Maria, Fla. to take on No. 11 Ave Maria.
