Lakeland, Fla.-  The Southeastern University Fire men's basketball team fell tonight to Freed-Hardeman University by a score of 96-88 for only their second loss of the season and will now hold a 7-2 overall record.
 
The Lions got the scoring started within the first 20 seconds of play whereas the Fire went the first two and a half minutes without a basket. After a six point run within a minute of play and two good three pointers by the Lions, the Fire found themselves down 14-5 with 14:15 left to play in the first half. Reggie Mesidor brought the Fire within two points with 11 minutes before halftime after a good field goal, two made free throws, and a good three pointer all within two and a half minutes. Sophmore Riley Minix then tied the game at 24 after a good three pointer off of the assist by Devon Ford but three Fire turnovers and multiple defensive rebounds by the Lions within the next three minutes of play would give the Lions a 10 point lead which would be their largest lead of the half. Two three point baskets and a good field goal by Minix would put the Fire back within five going into the half.
 
The second half would lend the Fire their first lead of the game with 17:20 remaining in the half after a good three pointer by Ralph Diaz to put the Fire up 48-47. The next five minutes of play would see three lead changes and no deficit bigger than three for either team. After the Lions again began to broaden their lead, Diaz and Minix both made baskets from behind the arc to bring the game back within one but multiple defensive rebounds by the Lions and fouls by the Fire would give the Lions the 96-88 victory which is the most points the Fire have allowed in a game this season.
 
Diaz was the leading scorer on the night with a season high 25 points while Minix recorded 21 points and nine rebounds through only 25 minutes of play.
 
The Fire will compete again in a Sun Conference matchup on Monday, December 14^th against Warner University at 7 p.m. in Lakeland.