LAKELAND, Fla.- In tonight's fast-paced Sun Conference showdown, Southeastern University took down Florida Memorial University by a score of 90-85 to move to 8-9 on the season and 4-2 in SUN play.
In the first half, the Fire offense would explode for 54 points behind a 65% effort from the field and 56% effort from three-point range (5-9).
Riley Minix would conclude the half with 17 points after going 8-10 from the field while
Sean Shore would go 6-10 from the field for 13 points.
Joshua Blazquez and Minix would combine for the Fire's first eight points as they would lead by as much as seven with 16:45 remaining in the first half. The Lions would then go on to bury five consecutive three-point shots in less than three minutes to take their first lead of the contest at 13:55. Southeastern would respond with successful three-point shooting of their own as
Riley Matticks tipped the scale back in their direction with a made shot from distance, giving the Fire the 19-17 edge.
Aaron Jones and
Reggie Mesidor would then go back-to-back from beyond the arc to take the 29-20 lead, the Fire's largest of the contest, with just over 10 minutes remaining in the half. After a late-half offensive push by the Lions, a good three-point shot with just 1:19 on the clock would tie the contest at 49. Matticks again broke the tie with a shot from distance as the Fire would conclude the first half with a 54-51 lead.
The Fire's defensive push in the second half would earn them the victory as they would hold the Lions to just 38% from the field and 20% from the three-point line while also forcing four turnovers, two of which came at crucial moments in the final 45 seconds of the contest. With the Lions threatening down two with 44 seconds on the clock, Blazquez came away with a steal and a fast-break layup to push the Fire's lead to four. On the Lion's very next possession, Mesidor repeated the sequence, pushing the Fire to a comfortable 87-81 edge. With 15 seconds on the clock, the Lions brought the contest within three but a 2-2 effort at the line by Minix would secure the 90-85 victory.
Southeastern would conclude the contest shooting 60% (39-65) from the field and 41% from distance (7-17).
Minix led all scoring with 27 total points while also grabbing a team-high 13 rebounds. Mesidor tallied 21 points and four rebounds while Blazquez led the Fire in assists with eight.
Sean Shore concluded the contest with a double-double with 13 points, all of which came in the first half, and 10 rebounds.
The Fire will be back in action on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla. as they take on St. Thomas University.
