Men's Hoops Fend Off Bears to Close the SEU Classic

LAKELAND, Fla.- Southeastern concluded the SEU Classic with a tightly contested 66-62 victory over Truett McConnell to move to an even 7-7 on the season.
 
In the first half, the Bears took the early lead with a good three pointer to open the contest and would go on to advance that lead to eight with 12:32 on the clock. The Fire would then go on a 9-0 run to take the 18-17 lead with 8:26 remaining in the half behind a three-point shot from Reggie Mesidor. The eight-point lead would quickly diminish behind seven made free throw shots by the Bears as they would conclude the half leading the home team 39-27.
 
Riley Minix concluded the first half with 14 points and four rebounds as the Fire would go 10-27 (37%) from the field while the Bears shot 55% from midrange (12-22).
 
Out of the locker room, Sean Shore would tally four points in as many minutes to help bring the score within four. With 12:08 on the clock and the Fire trailing 47-39, back-to-back three-point shots by Minix and Mesidor would bring the Fire deficit to two. Mesidor would repeat the sequence with six minutes on the clock, burying a three-point shot to put the Fire down just one. The scales tipped 30 seconds later with a Minix layup, giving the Fire their first lead in over 20 minutes of play.
 
With just four minutes left on the clock, the Bears converted a three-point basket to go ahead by one but Riley Matticks responded with his own shot from distance to claim a two-point lead with three minutes remaining. A Minix layup and Joshua Blazquez free throw would give the Fire a comfortable 64-59 edge with 24 seconds on the clock. The Bears threatened with 16 seconds remaining after a Micah McAllister three-point shot to move the score to 64-62 in favor of the Fire. Two made free-throws by the Fire with under 12 to play would secure the 66-62 victory.
 
Southeastern would conclude the contest shooting 43% from midrange. Minix was the game's leading scorer with 30 points and 12 rebounds while also registering three steals and two blocks. Mesidor lead the Fire in assists with six while also tallying 12 points.
 
The Fire will next head to Montgomery, Ala. for the Southern States on December 29^th against No. 8 ranked Faulkner University.