COLUMBIA, S.C. -- SEU couldn't overcome a hot-shooting Columbia International squad on Friday night, falling 85–70 at the Moore Fitness Center in a game where the Rams used a fast start and balanced scoring to hand the Fire their first loss of the young season.
The Fire opened with energy as
Jayson Nixon buried an early three and
Mylo Santos hit a pull-up jumper to give SEU an 8–6 edge, but CIU quickly responded with a 13–2 run capped by a Zach Everly triple to build a double-digit cushion. Southeastern found offense from several contributors—
Nathan Mikkelson was active around the rim with seven first-half rebounds and a three-point play midway through the period—but the Rams' efficiency was too much to match. CIU hit 47 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and connected on six threes to take a 48–32 halftime lead.
Santos fueled the Fire after the break, scoring six quick points on drives through traffic, and Mikkelson's tip-in trimmed the margin to 65–42 with just under 15 minutes to go.
Anthony Kangah provided a second-half spark off the bench, drilling two threes and totaling eight points. SEU continued to attack the basket and finished with a 36–34 edge in points in the paint, but each potential surge was answered by the Rams, who shot 52 percent in the second half and never let the Fire get closer than 15.
Mikkelson recorded his third straight double-double owith 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds while adding three blocks and an assist. Santos led Southeastern with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, and Ladavian King added 11 points and three rebounds while converting 5-of-7 at the line. Nixon chipped in nine points with Kangah adding eight, and
Daniel Sohn posted four points and five boards.
CIU's Will Kelly led all scorers with 22 points on 7-of-10 from the field. The Rams scored 22 points off 17 SEU turnovers. Southeastern finished the night shooting 41 percent overall but just 5-of-21 from long range, compared to CIU's 9-of-21 from deep.
Southeastern will have a quick turnaround as it remains in Columbia for a Saturday afternoon matchup with Columbia College (S.C.). Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m.
