LAKELAND, Fla.- On a night where the Fire had three players post 20-plus point efforts, the Southeastern University men's basketball team defeated the Ave Maria University Gyrenes 101-86 to make a massive statement in their Sun Conference opener.
A blazing start for the Fire propelled them out to a 35-18 advantage. However, the Gyrenes responded with a 14-2 run to trim the SEU advantage to 37-32 with 5:39 to go in the first half.
SEU junior point guard
Reggie Mesidor logged 13 of his 22 points (3-7 3-PT FG) in the first half and graduate guard
Jordan Gorman was 3-4 from behind the arc through the first 20 minutes of play, as the Fire were able to take a 44-37 lead into the locker room.
After scoring nine in the first half, junior small forward
Riley Minix erupted in the second half for 19 points, shooting 8-13 from the field, including 3-6 from behind the arc. Minix finished the game with a double-double, scoring a game-high 28 and hauling in 12 rebounds while also dishing out five assists and blocking two shots.
Ave Maria kept it close against Southeastern late into the second half, trimming the Fire lead to 76-71 with 7:11 to go in the game. However, the Fire responded with a 15-2 to run to take a dominant 93-73 lead with 2:48 to go.
SEU closed out the game successfully converting six-straight three-point attempts and doubled up Ave Maria from behind the arc on the night, making 20 threes to the Gyrenes' 10.
Gorman finished 7-8 from three point land to help him total 21 points and he also dished out a team-best seven helpers.
Mykhailo Yagodin was also in double-digits for the Fire with 10 points.
The Fire continue Sun Conference play on the road next Thursday, as they take on the College of Coastal Georgia Mariners in Brunswick. Game time is to be announced.
