LAKELAND, Fla.- The Southeastern University men's basketball team is set to face the No. 1 team in the country this weekend. The Fire will host the University of Saint Francis this Saturday, December 11th in the Furnace at 2 p.m.
Southeastern is coming off of a 1-1 week after seeing two of their Sun Conference opponents back to back. The Fire lost a close game on the road against Webber International 79-75 and returned to defend the Furnace by defeating Warner University 87-70.
The No. 1 University of Saint Francis Cougars are 10-2 on the season, dropping their only two losses to other top ranked opponents, No. 13 Grace College 83-69 and No. 8 Indiana Wesleyan University 100-89. The Cougars are shooting extremely well thus far shooting 49.4% from the field, 77.2% from the free throw line, and 42.1% from the three-point line. Saint Francis averages 11.8 three-pointers made which is currently ranked third in all NAIA.
Key players for USF are Antwaan Cushingberry and David Ejah. Cushingberry, a junior guard from Indianapolis, Indiana, is averaging 20.9 points per game, shooting 47.1% from the field, and 43.5% from beyond the arc. Ejah, a sophomore forward from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is averaging 19.2 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game and shooting 58.1% from the field.
As a team, the Fire currently average 87 points per game and are shooting 48.8% from the field. Riley Minix has been leading the way for the Fire averaging 22.3 points per game, shooting 59.1% from the field, and 45.8% from beyond the arc. Jordan Gorman has been efficient from beyond the arc making 47.1% of his three-point attempts. Reggie Mesidor off the bench, is averaging 10.9 points per game and shooting 44.2% from the field, scoring 109 points in 188 minutes.
To purchase tickets to this weekend's home game, go to https://southwastern.universitytickets.com
