LAKELAND, Fla.—After defeating Florida Memorial 80-58 in their first game in the New Year, the Southeastern University men's basketball team continues conference play this week. The Fire head to North Miami, Fla. on Thursday for a matchup with Johnson & Wales before hosting first place Keiser at The Furnace on Saturday at 7:00 pm.
In their first game of 2020, the Fire stretched their lead early in the first half with a 17-0 run and didn't look back against Florida Memorial. Southeastern shot 56.9% from the field in the win. Despite a disadvantage in size, the Fire outrebounded the Lions 36-15 and outscored them in the paint 54-22.
Freshman Riley Minix has been on a tear of late as he followed up his 32-point performance against No.1 Morningside with a 24-point outing against Florida Memorial. Minix also grabbed 15 rebounds to notch his second double-double of the season.
Southeastern looks to continue their success in conference play as they are 5-1 against Sun Conference opponents at this point in the season.
When the Fire head to North Miami they face a Johnson & Wales team that has won three straight contests after starting the season 2-8. They are coming off their first TSC win of the season, an 83-73 victory over Webber International. Freshman Alex Doane led the Wildcats in points in their lone conference win, totaling 19 points while dishing out four assists. Doane enters play this week ranked third in NAIA Division II in made 3-PT per game (4.083) and 16th in total 3-PT field goals made with 49. Southeastern is 9-6 against Johnson & Wales dating back to the 2012-13 season and were winners in the past four matchups.
On Saturday, the Fire host conference leader No. 22 Keiser. Keiser, winners of two straight including an 82-75 victory of No. 7 Dakota Wesleyan, are 2-1 against ranked opponents this season. In their most recent outing, the Seahawks defeated RV Warner 82-80. Senior forward Mark Gordon leads the Seahawks attack averaging 27.54 PPG, good for second in NAIA Division II. Keiser also brings two leaders in defensive categories. Senior Chance Anderson is fourth in the country in blocks per game (2.7), and senior guard Malcolm Mabry is sixth in the country with 38 steals. The Fire are 4-7 over the past 11 games against the Seahawks and split last year's two contests.
