LAKELAND, Fla. – The Fire saw late leads slip away in two close games with New College of Florida during the regular season. Not tonight. Southeastern University jumped out to a early lead then held on for a thrilling 82-80 victory over the Mighty Banyans, advancing to the Sun Conference semifinals for the first time since the 2022-23 season.
After leading by 19 points in the first minute of the second half, SEU saw its advantage dwindle primarily due to the big second half of Charlie Yoder, who scored in 23 of his 35 points in the second half. The two teams found themselves deadlocked, 76-76, with 1:07 remaining. A Joshua Blazquez layup 29 seconds later pushed the Fire on top for good. Derek Murphy then hit four clutch free throws in the final 21 seconds around a New College triple for an 82-79 score. The Banyans added a foul shot with five ticks left before the Fire missed two foul shots, but the visitors couldn't get a game-winning shot off in the final moment, ending the game.
After the first two contests were decided by a total of three points, it was fitting the third edition had a two-point difference only this time in the favor of SEU (13-16). New College (14-15) edged out the two regular season tilts in Lakeland on January 11, 96-94 in overtime, and in Sarasota two weeks ago, 67-66.
With the victory, SEU moves on to Friday evening's Sun Conference semifinal. The Fire travel to West Palm Beach for a face-off with top-seeded Keiser University.
SEU saw four of its five starters hit in double figures led by Murphy's 21-point night on 5-of-10 shooting, but more importantly 11-of-12 from the free throw line. He also pulled down six rebounds, had two steals, and two assists.
Blazquez chipped in 15 points, eight boards, and four assists. Diego Platas netted 12 points on 5-of-10 attempts to go with three rebounds and a blocked shot. Kyonte Thomas hit a 3-pointer as part of his 10 point, four rebound, three steal, and two assist night.
Nelson Reynolds drained a trio of 3-pointers for nine points off the bench. Nathan Mikkelson added eight rebounds, and six points. Amir Brikat contributed five points, five rebounds and two assists, while Ahmad Johnson returned to the lineup with four points.
Yoder was practically unstoppable in the second half, bringing New College back by hitting tough shots time after time down the floor. His 35 points came on 11-of-25 shooting and 11-for-11 from the line.
SEU netted the first two buckets and went out to a 12-4 lead in the first 4:42 on a Platas layup. The Fire then turned a six-point lead and doubled it to a baker's dozen, 25-12 and 28-15, on back-to-back Reynolds triples. The home margin increased by two, before the Banyans ran off eight points, but still trailed 46-28 at half.
Platas scored the game's first three points of the second 20 minutes, but New College would answer five minutes later. The Banyans ran off an 11-0 surge and made it a one possession game, 54-51, with 12:05 to go.
Tied at 57-57, SEU scored the ensuring eight points, but they could not hold the momentum. New College rebounded again for ties at both 74-74 and then 76-76 with 1:07 remaining before the Fire closed the door for good.
SEU faces a Keiser team in Friday's semifinal which, like New College, swept the season series with the Fire, winning 76-71 in Lakeland before overcoming a 24-point deficit to take the match-up in West Palm Beach, 76-73. Tip-off on Friday is at 5 p.m.
