Men's Hoops Preps for Two Conference Contests

LAKELAND, Fla.- Coming off an 0-2 run at the Southern States Crossover with losses to No. 8 Faulkner University and Talladega College, Southeastern men's basketball (7-9, 3-2 SUN) will look to get back in the win column this week as they face two Sun Conference opponents in Florida Memorial and St. Thomas University. On Thursday, the Fire will host the Lions for a 7:30 p.m. contest and will conclude the week with a 4 p.m. contest on Saturday against the Bobcats on the road.
 
The Fire currently sit in a three-way tie for second place in the Sun Conference with St. Thomas and Keiser as they all hold a conference record of 3-2. In conference play, the Fire average 78.8 points per contest behind a .469 field goal percentage and .343 three-point percentage, all slightly improved from their non-conference numbers of 75.6 points per game, 46.5% from the field and 36% from behind the arc. Riley Minix has proven himself as one of the top players nationally on both sides of the ball as he ranks third nationally in points per game (28) while also ranking first in the NAIA in both total rebounds (153) and rebounds per game (13.9), all in just 11 contests. Reggie Mesidor has led the extra-point shooting with 6.8 three-pointers per game to aid his 14.6 points per game in conference play. Transfer Jalan Mull has seen most of his success in Sun Conference contests as he averages 15.1 points per game, six points higher than his non-conference average.
 
Currently on a two-game win streak, the Lions hold a 9-6 overall record but have struggled in conference contests posting a 1-4 SUN record. The Lions' offense averages 79.8 points per game in conference contests, nearly ten points lower than their non-conference average. Collectively, the Lions have shot 41.8% from midrange and 36.4% from three-point range in conference games while their free throw percentage has fallen from 74% to just 69% in SUN games. Teonta McKeithen leads the offensive charge with 16.2 points per contest behind an impressive 46.4 three-point percentage which ranks first in the Sun Conference.
 
In conference play, the Bobcats (14-3, 3-2 SUN) average 81 points per contest behind a .471 field goal percentage and .353 three-point percentage. Junior Milton Matthews averages 20.2 points per game which ranks second in the SUN behind Minix after shooting 46.2% from the field. Fred Mulbah also has had success against SUN teams as he has tallied 16.6 points per game while shooting 55% from midrange and ranks at the top of the conference in assists with 103. D'Andre Johnson averages 5.4 rebounds per game with 83 total.
 
To purchase tickets to Thursday's home contest, go to https://southeastern.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx.