AVE MARIA, Fla. – Down 11 at half the Fire didn't quit, but it wasn't enough. No. 16 Ave Maria University withstood multiple runs by Southeastern University and held on for a 90-79 win today in Sun Conference men's basketball action.
The
Gyrenes hit the game's opening 3-pointer 1:02 into the game and never trailed. The Fire netted the final seven points of the first half and
Nelson Reynolds hit one of his four treys to start the second 20 minutes to cut an 11-point halftime deficit to six, 49-43. SEU kept pushing the entire second half and cut the deficit down to five points with with 4:31 left, but they could not get over closer the rest of the way.
SEU (12-16/8-8 Sun Conference) split the season series with Ave Maria (22-6/13-3 Sun Conference). The Fire took the meeting in Lakeland on January 22 by a 99-95 score.
Coming off the bench,
Nathan Mikkelson stepped up with a big day. He hit 7-of-12 field goals, including a pair of treys, for a team-high 23 points to go with eight rebounds and a blocked shot. Reynolds added 14 points off his four 3-pointers. The SEU bench scored 37 of the team's 79 points today.
Joshua Blazquez had 22 points, four assists. two steals, and two rebounds, while Diego
Platas finished as the fourth double-digit scorer with 12 points on 6-of-8 field goals, three rebounds, and two assists.
Amir Brikat had nine rebounds and four points.
Jack Watkins guided the Ave Maria charge with 18 points to lead the team.
With the New College of Florida (NCF) loss to St. Thomas today, SEU clinches the number four seed and will host a Sun Conference playoff quarterfinal round playoff game on Tuesday night against fifth-seeded NCF. Tip-off will be at 7 p.m. in The Furnace. The Might Banyans swept the season series with the Fire, winning in Lakeland in overtime, 96-94 and taking a one-point decision in Bradenton, 67-66.
2025 Sun Conference Tournament Schedule:
Tuesday, February 25th
#6 St. Thomas at #3 Florida Memorial – 7pm
#5 NCF at #4 Southeastern – 7pm
Friday, February 28th – at Keiser
Semifinal 1: 4/5 winner vs. Keiser – 5pm
Semifinal 2: 3/6 winner vs. Ave Maria – 7pm
Saturday, March 1st – at Keiser
Championship Game – 5pm
