Box Score MARIETTA, Ga. - Southeastern men's basketball came up short 83-74 in what was a close matchup against Life University.
The Fire started off strong, quickly taking the lead over the Eagles with a pair of layups and a dunk from Graduate Student Anthony Duncan. Derek Murphy then hit a jumper to extend the lead 8-3 early.
Southeastern maintained the lead until 13:22 to play in the first half, giving up a three-pointer to Life. The Eagles had a pair of runs, extending the lead 41-29 heading into halftime.
In the second half, the Fire trailed by ten for the first five minutes before going on a 10-0 run against the Eagles. Sean Shore started the run with a layup with 15:34 to play. A three-pointer by Derek Murphy made it 47-43, then Joshua Blazquez added a steal and converted the layup. An offensive rebound by Duncan and layup by Shore gave the Fire the 51-50 lead with 12 minutes in the contest.
The Eagles regained the lead and led the Fire the rest of the game, despite Southeastern bringing it within two with just three minutes to play.
Offensively, the Fire shot 46.2% from the field, while the Eagles shot 49.1%. Free throws were the name of the game down the stretch, with Life going 22-30 from the free throw line, while Southeastern was 8-14.
Duncan led the Fire with 21 points and six rebounds. Blazquez had 19 points, four assists, and four steals.
Makai Vassell added 17 points and six rebounds. Shore led the Fire in rebounds with seven.
Southeastern will take on Point University tomorrow at 4 p.m.
