Poor Execution at the Line Results in Narrow Loss to Pilots

LAKELAND, Fla.- Free throws were the difference in tonight's 80-77 loss to Bethel University as Southeastern men's basketball team fell to 6-7 after five missed free throw attempts throughout the contest (8-13).
 
The Pilots concluded the contest going 14-15 at the line.
 
After a closely contested first half, the Fire concluded the first 20 minutes on a 19-4 run to take a commanding 41-31 lead into halftime. Riley Minix concluded the first half with 19 points to lead the Fire to a 47% field goal effort in the first half.
 
A five-point lead by the Pilots with 6:45 on the clock in the first half was erased with the help of six quick points by Minix and five late points by Reggie Mesidor, a three-point bucket and a dunk with 45 seconds on the clock.
 
The largest lead of the contest would come with 17:45 remaining in the second half after a three-point shot by Jalan Mull secured the 13-point edge. The Pilots would go on to bury a three-point shot and go 4-4 at the line in less than a minute to bring the deficit to one. A Drew Lutz three-point shot seconds later would give the Pilots back the 56-55 lead with just under nine minutes to play.
 
The Pilots would go 7-7 at the line in the final two minutes of play while two missed free throws by the Fire in the final 15 seconds would open the door for the Pilot's victory.
 
Southeastern would be outscored 49-36 in the second half with all five missed free throws by the Fire coming in the final period.
 
Minix would lead the Fire with 30 points, five steals, and two blocks with Mesidor tallying 21, going 4-9 from distance. Mull would lead the defense with nine rebounds and five assists.
 
The Fire will look to bounce back tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. as they take on Truett McConnell in The Furnace.