MOUNT VERNON, Ga. – Six players in double figures, timely baskets, and a consistent offensive attack were enough to give Cale Brubaker his second victory as the Fire's head coach, opening Southeastern's stay in Georgia with a 78-63 win over Brewton-Parker on Friday evening.
The Fire improved to 2-0 on the season, shooting 50 percent from the field while holding the Barons to just 16.7 percent from three-point range.
Despite falling behind by five early, Southeastern found its rhythm with three consecutive three-pointers from Carson Browne and Anthony Kangah, turning the deficit into a 17-14 advantage near the 11-minute mark of the first half.
After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Jayson Nixon emerged as a key contributor in the second half. Nixon scored all 13 of his points after the break, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.
Jabi Alberto also provided a second-half spark, scoring all 10 of his points after halftime on 5-of-6 shooting. The duo helped Southeastern outscore Brewton-Parker 44-36 in the final period, extending the Fire's lead to as many as 24 points with 2:43 remaining.
Trent McNair matched Nixon with 13 points, adding four rebounds while converting five of his six free-throw attempts.
Kangah and Junior Camacho contributed 11 points apiece. Camacho also recorded six rebounds and a team-high five assists, while Kangah connected on three three-pointers.
JJ Walton finished with eight points and a team-high seven rebounds, helping Southeastern secure a 36-34 advantage on the glass.
The Fire connected on 10 three-pointers and committed just nine turnovers while recording 13 assists. Southeastern also received 22 points from its bench and converted Brewton-Parker's 11 turnovers into 14 points.
Defensively, Southeastern limited the Barons to 38.3 percent shooting from the field and just three made three-pointers on 18 attempts.
Gil Gonzalez led Brewton-Parker with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Lorenzo Contreras contributed 12 points.
Southeastern will look to remain unbeaten Saturday afternoon when it faces its toughest test yet against RV Life. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. on October 31, the second day of the Brewton-Parker Classic.
