LAKELAND, Fla.- The eighth-seeded Southeastern University Fire men's basketball team bowed out of the 2022 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament with a 57-56 loss to the ninth-seeded Xavier University of Louisiana Gold Rush in the first round of the Opening Round Lakeland Bracket.
The Fire overcame 13 first-half turnovers to still hold a 25-24 lead over the Gold Rush heading into the locker room at halftime.Â
SEU junior forward
Riley Minix scored 11 of his game-high 18 in the first half. Minix finished the night with his 13 rebounds to accompany his high point total for his 22nd double-double of the season.
The second half was a tight back-and-forth affair featuring eight ties or lead changes.Â
The game was decided at the charity stripe, as Makye Richard converted a pair of free throws six seconds remaining to put the Gold Rush ahead 57-56.
The Fire had the chance to tie or take the lead with free throws of their own with two seconds to go in regulation, however, both attempts were missed.
Mykhailo Yagodin joined Minix in the double-digit club for SEU with 11 points.
Reggie Mesidor had six points, four assists, and three steals.
Southeastern concludes the 2021-22 season 22-8, as Sun Conference Regular Season Co-Champions, and having made their fifth NAIA National Tournament appearance in the last six years.
