Vassell and Blazquez Put up Season-Best Numbers in Win

LAKELAND, Fla.- Season-high nights from Makai Vassell and Joshua Blazquez led the Fire to a hard-fought 81-78 win over Cumberland University to kick off the SEU Classic.
 
Vassell concluded the contest with 26 points, 17 of which came in the second half, with 13 rebounds. The junior went 9-13 from the field with two three-point shots while Blazquez went 7-13 from the field, 5-6 from distance, and 6-6 from the line for 25 points.
 
The Phoenix got the scoring started with the first basket of the game for their only lead of the contest. The Fire then responded with an 8-0 run behind back-to-back three pointers from Derek Murphy and Reggie Mesidor. With 13 minutes to play, a made free-throw by Ja'Quay Randolph extended the Fire lead to 13-3, their largest of the night. The Phoenix managed to bring the contest within two with just 1:25 left to play but three made free throws by the Fire concluded the half at 36-31.
 
Blazquez and Vassell combined for 34 of the Fire's 45 points in the second half including a 6-6 effort from the field from Vassell. The junior also concluded the second half with eight rebounds.
 
With 14:44 left to play, a made layup by the Phoenix brought the score to 45-44 but two loud dunks from Amir Brikat and Sean Shore stifled the Phoenix momentum. Three minutes later, the Phoenix again cut the Fire deficit to one, but a three-point shot from Blazquez gave the Fire a 54-50 lead. Another three-point bucket by Blazquez at 9:41 brought the Fire lead to nine. With less than 45 seconds to play, the Phoenix strung together a 6-0 run to cut the score to 78-76 but three made free throws by the Fire secured the win.
 
The Fire will round out the SEU Classic tomorrow at 3 p.m. as they take on Saint Francis University.