Lakeland, Fla. - The Southeastern University men's basketball team dropped their 11th game of the season to Warner University 80-67.
The Fire showed resilient effort throughout the first half being down as much as 13 and bringing the score back within six a couple times. Warner got their shots going early shooting 48.28% in the first half. The Fire were able to bring the game back within six with 4:04 remaining in the half by a Karl Jeanty layup before the Royals went on a 8-4 run to put themselves up ten going into the half 41-31.
Alaowei Talent-Fitzgerald led the Fire in scoring with 8 points, while shooting 2-2 from the 3-point line. Deshaun Osborne led the team in rebounding with four and added a block and an assist.
As a team Fire shot 42.3% from the field, 33.3% from the 3-point line, and 100% at the free throw line. Warner shot 48.3 from the field, 38.5 from the 3-point line, and 100% at the free throw line.
Southeastern came out the second half trailing as many as thirteen and were able to cut the deficit down to six again. Riley Matticks had a big role in this happening scoring nine points in a row for the Fire. Slowly, the Royals started to pick up steam and extend their lead after a couple costly turnovers and were up by as many as 15 points. Fire gave a final push of great effort making it a seven point game with 0:54 remaining, but the Royals lead was too great to overcome.
Fire came within six points four separate times throughout the contest and the Royals found a way to score the following possession all four times.
Individually, Matticks led the team in scoring with 20 points adding five rebounds and three assists. Talent Fitzgerald followed in team scoring with 11 points, while Jeanty added seven points and led the team in rebounds with seven.
Off the bench, Sean Shore ended with seven points and five rebounds.
The Fire (10-11, 4-10 TSC) will look to get back on track when they travel to Miami Gardens to face Florida Memorial University Saturday, January 30th, 4 P.M.
