Men's Basketball Drops Closely-Contested Contest to Tornadoes

Box Score MONTGOMERY, Ala.- Despite a hard-fought second half by Southeastern's men's basketball team, the Fire concluded the Southern States Classic with a 66-64 loss to Talladega College to move to 7-9 on the season.
 
Riley Matticks got the Fire out to an early lead with a good three-point shot which would propel the Fire to an 8-3 lead, the largest lead they would see for the remainder of the game. Back-to-back baskets from distance by the Tornadoes would tip the scales in their favor as they would take the 9-8 lead. Despite trailing by as much as eight with just three minutes remaining in the half, the Fire would knock down four late points to bring the contest back within reach. However, as solid 6-7 effort from distance by the Tornadoes in the first half would lend them the 33-27 edge heading into the locker room.
 
The Fire would go 10-20 (50%) from the field and 3-11 (27%) from three-point range in the first half as Riley Minix would lead the scoring with 10 first-half points.
 
In the final 20 minutes, the Fire outscored the Tornadoes 37-33 after going 11-27 (41%) from midrange and 12-17 (71%) at the free throw line.
 
The Fire again found themselves trailing by eight in the second half but responded with a 12-2 run to take the 53-52 lead with 6:15 on the clock. The Fire run was highlighted by a 6-6 effort at the line including five points by Reggie Mesidor after a jumper and three made free throws. Mesidor continued his hot hand, burying a three-point shot to extend the Fire lead to four with five left to play. Back-to-back jumpers and a good free throw by the Tornadoes would give them back the 57-56 lead with three minutes left in regulation. Mesidor would again be sent to the line with 1:58 on the clock and would tie the contest at 59 after going 2-2. The next five points would fall in favor of the Tornadoes, but a Minix three-point shot and Mesidor jumper would again tie the contest with just 12 seconds remaining. With under a second remaining on the clock, the Tornadoes would get a jumper to fall as the Fire would fall to 7-9 on the season.
 
Minix led the scoring and rebounding for the Fire with 22 and 10 while Mesidor would conclude the night with 21 points after a 6-13 effort from midrange. Minix would also tally three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
 
The Fire will be back home on January 5^th at 7:30 p.m. against Florida Memorial.