WINONA LAKE, Ind. -- Southeastern's postseason run came to an end Saturday night as the Fire fell to Grace, 91-75, in the Second Round of the NAIA National Championship's Winona Lake Bracket. With the result, Southeastern closes the 2025-26 campaign at 25-7, reaching the NAIA Second Round for the first time since 2023.
Grace seized control early and never trailed, using a hot-shooting first half to build the cushion it would ride the rest of the way. The Lancers knocked down 11 first-half three-pointers and shot 60 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes, taking a 50-32 lead into the break. Southeastern battled to stay within striking distance early, even pulling even at 14-14 midway through the half, but Grace answered with a series of perimeter shots and transition opportunities to open things up.
The Fire showed plenty of fight after halftime. Southeastern scored 43 points in the second half and cut the deficit to single digits at multiple points, including a 69-60 margin with 8:54 to play and again at 71-63 with 7:34 remaining. But each time the Fire made a push, Grace had an answer, stretching the lead back out with timely baskets and free throws down the stretch.
Jayson Nixon led Southeastern offensively with 22 points, knocking down six three-pointers while adding three assists and a pair of steals.
Anthony Kangah finished with 14 points, while
Jarin Edwards gave the Fire a lift off the bench with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Nathan Mikkelson added nine points, five rebounds, and five assists, and
Daniel Sohn chipped in nine points in reserve minutes during the second-half rally.
As a team, Southeastern hit 13 three-pointers and improved its shooting significantly after halftime, going 8-for-12 from beyond the arc in the second half. The Fire finished at 35.8 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from three, but Grace's efficiency proved difficult to overcome. The Lancers shot 55.6 percent overall, matched Southeastern with 13 made threes, and also finished with a 39-34 rebounding edge and 26 assists on 30 made field goals.
Grace was paced by Gage Sefton's 19 points, while Ian Raasch scored 15 and Hunter Walston added 14. Grady Carpenter finished with 13 points and seven assists, and Tyler Raasch contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks as the Lancers advanced.
Though the season ended one step short of Kansas City, Southeastern's run still marked an important postseason breakthrough. The Fire returned to the national stage, earned a first-round win, and advanced to the NAIA Second Round for the first time in three years, finishing with 25 victories and another strong chapter in the program's history.
