Fire Open Season with Hard-Fought Win over Thomas

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The SEU Men's Basketball team opened the 2025-26 season with a gritty 79-74 victory over Thomas University on Friday night inside The Furnace.

The Fire started fast and never trailed after the 10-minute mark of the first half, riding an efficient offensive night that saw them shoot 50 percent (31-for-62) from the floor and 35.7 percent (5-for-14) from beyond the arc. SEU controlled the glass with a 39-35 rebounding advantage and outscored Thomas 48-30 in the paint, using its size and pace to dictate play.

Senior forward Daivion Traylor powered the offense with a dominant 23-point, 9-rebound performance on 10-of-12 shooting, attacking the rim with authority and throwing down multiple emphatic dunks. Jayson Nixon added 15 points and three assists, knocking down three triples, while Nathan Mikkelson posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double and swatted three shots to lead the Fire defensively. Mylo Santos contributed 12 points and four boards, and LaDavian King gave the Fire key energy off the bench with eight points, four assists, and a steal.

After leading 36-31 at the break, Southeastern opened the second half with a 9-2 run highlighted by Traylor's two quick baskets and a Nixon three to extend the margin to double digits. The Fire's largest lead of the night came with just over five minutes to play, when Mikkelson's layup made it 71-55. Thomas, led by Jonathan Goldson (18 points) and Armani Thomas (14 points), closed within five late, but SEU's defensive stops and late free throws from Santos and Mikkelson sealed the season-opening win.

The Fire defense forced 17 turnovers, converting them into 20 points, and held the Nighthawks to just 20.8 percent (5-for-24) from beyond the arc. SEU also tallied 19 second-chance points and received 15 points from its bench, a sign of the team's depth early in the campaign.

With the win, Southeastern begins 1-0 for the second straight season under head coach Hudson Welty. The Fire now turn their attention to a three-game road swing through South Carolina, beginning Wednesday, November 5 at 7 p.m. against Spartanburg Methodist College in Spartanburg, S.C.