Men Drop Close Matchup to Lions

Lakeland, Fla.- The Fire fell just short of a victory tonight as they dropped a Sun Conference matchup to the Florida Memorial Lions by a score of 72-69. SEU is now 8-4 on the season and dropped to an even 3-3 record in Sun Conference play.
 
This even matchup between these two teams ultimately came down to the fundamental free throw with the Lions going a perfect 13-13 from the free throw line throughout the 40 minutes of play while the Fire shot 69% from the free throw line going 9-13 collectively.
 
The Fire got on the board first but two quick turnovers by the Fire put the Lions up 6-2 with 17 minutes remaining in the first half but a good layup and free throw by Reggie Mesidor would bring the game back within one at 8-7 with 15:32 to play in the half. The largest deficit for the Fire would come with 7:54 on the clock when the Lions found success on three different shots behind the three point arc to go ahead 34-23 but after multiple turnovers by the Lions the Fire were able to cut the deficit to 38-35 going into halftime.
 
Deshaun Osbourne tied the game at 38 with a three pointer in the first ten seconds of the second half and the Fire were able to hold the lead for the majority of the second half until the Lions tied the game again with eight minutes remaining at 59 but the Fire were unable to outdo the Lions in the last final minutes and forfeited the victory 72-69.
 
Mesidor was the leading scorer for the Fire with 22 points while freshman Sean Shore had the best outing of his short collegiate career with 12 points and three rebounds along with Devon Ford who also put up 12 points and three rebounds. Karl Jeanty led the Fire defensively with 10 rebounds.