LAKELAND, Fla. – Southeastern led for the majority of the afternoon Saturday inside the Furnace and finished with one of its biggest shots of the season, upsetting No. 4 Ave Maria, 83-80, in overtime to complete a regular-season sweep of the Gyrenes.
With the win, the Fire improved to 23-5 overall and 12-4 in Sun Conference play, while Ave Maria fell to 24-4 and 13-3. In a game that featured poise, physicality, and multiple late swings, it was
Jayson Nixon's three-pointer with 1.5 seconds remaining in overtime that ultimately separated the two sides.
Southeastern controlled much of the first half, establishing tempo early and dictating play on the glass. The Fire shot 48.3 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and connected on six three-pointers, building a lead that grew to as many as 13 points. Behind balanced scoring and a strong rebounding presence, Southeastern carried a 39-29 advantage into halftime.
Anthony Kangah sparked the early offense, finishing with a team-high 21 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including three made three-pointers, and an 8-of-10 performance at the free-throw line.
Nathan Mikkelson anchored the interior throughout, scoring 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting while pulling down 13 rebounds to record a double-double. His work on the offensive glass helped Southeastern generate second-chance opportunities that proved critical over the course of the game.
Ave Maria responded in the second half, trimming what had been a double-digit deficit. The Gyrenes shot 50 percent from the field after the break and used timely perimeter shooting to narrow the margin. Despite leading for most of the contest, Southeastern saw the game tied at 69-69 with 1:19 remaining in regulation.
Michael Klekas converted two free throws with 28 seconds left to tie the game at 71-71, and SEU's final attempt before the buzzer was off target, sending the contest to overtime.
The final two minutes of overtime featured constant momentum swings.
Mikkelson opened the decisive stretch with a layup that gave Southeastern a 77-75 lead with 1:44 remaining. Just seconds later, Klekas answered with a three-pointer to put Ave Maria in front 78-77 at the 1:31 mark.
Mikkelson was fouled on the ensuing possession and split a pair at the line to tie the game at 78-78 with 1:05 to play. With 24 seconds remaining,
Mylo Santos attacked the rim and converted a layup to give the Fire an 80-78 advantage.
Ave Maria responded again, as Jonathan Effertz drove and finished at the basket to tie the contest at 80-80 with 15 seconds left.
After a timeout, Southeastern put the ball in Nixon's hands. Working from the top of the arc, the senior guard created separation off the dribble, rose in rhythm, and knocked down a three-pointer with 1.5 seconds remaining to give the Fire an 83-80 lead. Ave Maria's desperation heave at the buzzer was off the mark.
Nixon finished with 11 points, three three-pointers, four assists, and four steals. Santos added 17 points and four rebounds, while Traylor chipped in seven points and 10 boards. As a team, Southeastern shot 42.4 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three-point range, and 78.3 percent (18-of-23) at the free-throw line. The Fire dominated the glass, 44-26, including 16 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points, and held a 32-22 advantage in points in the paint.
Southeastern now turns its attention to postseason play, opening the 2026 Sun Conference Men's Basketball Championship on Tuesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. The Fire will host No. 6 seed Webber International at the Furnace with a berth in the tournament semifinals on the line.
