KINGSPORT, Tenn.—Southeastern finished its trip to the NAIA Showcase with an 0-2 record after an 88-66 loss to Freed-Hardeman on Sunday.
Despite a strong start which saw the Fire (3-5) making seven of its first nine shots from inside the arc and leading 17-15 halfway through the first half. Southeastern went just two for its next five from the field with four turnovers to fall behind 30-23 with 3:30 to go and also trailed by seven (39-32) at halftime after shooting 50% from the field in the first 20 minutes even with a 2-for-11 showing from 3-point range.
Southeastern got as close as five in the second half with 15:03 left on a 3-pointer by Reggie Mesidor to make it 48-43, then again on a Riley Matticks jumper with 14:20 left to make it 50-45. Freed-Hardeman (6-2) responded with a 12-2 run during which it made all seven shots it took and saw the Fire go 1-for-4 from the field with a pair of turnovers and fall behind 62-47 with 11:54 left.
Matticks finished with 14-points, and was the team co-leader in rebounds with seven. Mesidor added 13 points and three rebounds.
The lead expanded to 18 with 8:32 left during a span of 1:55 which was the Fire go 0-for-6 and FHU's JJ Wheat score all five points.
Sophomore Joshua Blazquez led the Fire with his second straight game of 19 points and added three rebounds, two assists, and a block. Sean Shore was also in double figures with 11 points and matched Matticks with seven boards.
The Fire will return home to take on Webber International on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
