Men's Basketball Comes out on Top During Close Contest

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- In a close contested contest that saw 10 lead changes and seven ties, the Southeastern University men's basketball team came out on top for their 14^th win of the season over the Florida Memorial Lions by a score of 77-74.
 
After trailing for the first 15 minutes of play, the Fire grabbed their first lead of the half with 5:23 on the clock after going on a 9-0 run to take the 26-21 lead. Reggie Mesidor secured the five point lead with a good three pointer but the Fire were unable to hold the lead after the Lions bounced back with an eight point run of their own, reclaiming the 33-31 lead. Two made free throws by Jordan Gorman with one minute remaining before halftime tied the contest at 33 as both teams headed into the locker room. As the tie score proved, the Sun Conference opponents were evenly matched throughout the first half with the Fire shooting 42% from the field and the Lions shooting 40.6%. The Lions outshot the No. 3 nationally ranked three point shooting Fire from distance with the Fire going only 1-10 from beyond the arc in the first half.
 
In the second half, Riley Minix aided in the Fire comeback after scoring 11 points in only two and a half minutes to give the Fire the 48-46 lead but the Lions would battle back to grab a seven point lead with 12 minutes left in regulation. The Fire would continue to trail the Lions for the next six minutes but a layup by Ralph Diaz would regain the lead and would help secure the Fire victory as they would go on to end regulation with a 77-74 victory. A 7-11 effort from beyond the arc and a 56% field goal percentage in the second half aided in the Fire's advancement to 14-3 on the season.
 
Sean Shore secured a double-double through 39 minutes after registering 12 points and 13 rebounds while also leading the team in assists with three, steals with four, and one block. Minix ended the night as the Fire's leading scorer with 29 points and was one rebound away from a double-double.
 
The Fire will return home on Saturday for another SUN contest as they take on St. Thomas University at 7 p.m.