LAKELAND, Fla.—Southeastern finished the Sun vs. Southern States Conference Crossover with a 1-1 record after a 78-56 loss to Faulkner on Friday night at The Furnace.
The second half was the difference for the Eagles (2-1), outscoring the Fire 44-26 by shooting 63% from the field and went 7-of-15 (46%) from 3-point range. Meanwhile, the hosts were just 32% from the field and 0-for-8 from 3-point land in the second 20 minutes.
Makai Vassell gave the Fire a 21-16 lead with a basket at the 7:45 mark of the first half, but the Eagles outscored the Fire 18-9 down the stretch to hold a 34-30 lead at halftime.
Vassell finished with a team-best 20 points and seven rebounds.
Vassell's three-point play with 14:35 left in the second tied the game at 41, but Faulkner responded with a 14-0 run by going 5-of-6 from the field and holding the Fire to 0-for-4 over those four minutes with a pair of turnovers.
A 10-2 run over 3:13 helped the Eagles take a 21-point advantage with just over a minute left.
Joshua Blazquez added 19 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Derek Murphy led the Fire in assists with four.
The Fire will be back in action on Wednesday against Johnson University of Florida at 7 p.m.
