LAKE WALES, Fla. -- Southeastern closed out its regular-season road slate with a hard-earned 74–69 win at Warner on Saturday afternoon, finishing strong in a game that featured multiple momentum swings and a tense final minute.
The Fire (22–5, 11–4) showed balance and poise down the stretch, using timely shot-making and free-throw shooting to secure the victory in a contest that was tight from the opening tip. Southeastern led 34–32 at halftime and matched Warner's intensity throughout the second half, eventually pulling ahead in the closing possessions.
Mylo Santos led the Fire with 16 points, doing much of his work inside and at the free-throw line. He also delivered a key defensive play in the final seconds with a block that helped seal the result.
Daivion Traylor provided a highly efficient effort with 12 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the field while adding eight rebounds, giving Southeastern a steady presence in the paint.
Anthony Kangah and
Nathan Mikkelson each added 10 points. Mikkelson contributed on the interior with five rebounds and a block, while Kangah mixed drives and mid-range looks and later knocked down critical free throws in the final minutes.
Jayson Nixon finished with nine points, including a go-ahead three-pointer with just over a minute to play that flipped a one-point deficit into a 71–69 Southeastern lead.
The first half set the tone for a competitive afternoon. Warner shot well from three early, but Southeastern countered by attacking inside and generating second-chance opportunities. The Fire built a nine-point lead midway through the half before Warner rallied to keep the margin slim at the break.
The second half featured several lead changes as both teams traded baskets. Warner briefly moved in front in the final two minutes, but Nixon's three-pointer and composed free-throw shooting from Santos and
Jarin Edwards allowed Southeastern to regain control. Edwards, who pulled down a team-high nine rebounds, calmly hit two free throws in the final seconds to extend the lead to five.
Overall, Southeastern shot 48.1 percent from the field and went 17-for-21 at the free-throw line, including a 12-for-13 mark in the second half. The Fire also held a 30–18 rebounding advantage and scored 42 points in the paint, helping offset Warner's success from beyond the arc.
With the road portion of the schedule complete, Southeastern now returns home for its final game of the regular season and Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 21. The Fire will host Ave Maria at 4 p.m. inside The Furnace in Lakeland, honoring their seniors before turning full attention toward the postseason as they look to close the regular season with another strong performance.
