Men's Basketball Improves to 5-0 on the Season After Late Game Surge

BRUNSWICK, Ga.- The Southeastern University men's basketball team continued their hot streak tonight as they took down the College of Coastal Georgia Mariners on their home court by a score of 85-65 to improve to 5-0 and 2-0 in Sun Conference play.
 
Reigning SUN Player of the Week, Riley Minix, got the scoring started with the first four Fire points to aid the Fire to an early 12-6 lead. After the Mariners brought the game to a 14-14 tie, Mykhalio Yagodin and Minix took advantage of back-to-back Mariners fouls and walked off the line with four good free throws to give the Fire back their lead. Reggie Mesidor gave the Fire their largest lead of the half after a defensive rebound by Ralph Diaz set up Mesidor for the uncontested layup. The Mariners managed to bring the game back within three but two late half three pointers by Riley Matticks and Messidor gave the Fire a 43-37 lead heading into the locker room. The Fire shot .567 from the field in the first half with 13 rebounds.
 
The Mariners came out strong in the second half after a 10 point run gave them the 47-43 lead early in the second half. Four more points by Minix and a layup by Sean Shore tilted the tables back in favor of the Fire as they took back the lead 49-47 with just over 15 minutes to play. Jordan Gorman gave the Fire back any lost momentum after putting together a seven point run highlighted by a three pointer and four consecutive free throws. It was all Fire from then on as they would go on to defeat the Mariners by a score of 85-65 after shooting .548 from the field and grabbing 16 more rebounds.
 
Minix ended the night with another double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds while a late surge by Gorman aided him to an 18 point night while going a perfect 6-6 at the free throw line. Ralph Diaz and Sam Brown each grabbed seven rebounds.
 
The Fire will be back in action on Saturday in Thomasville, Ga. as they take on SUN competitor Thomas University at 4 p.m.