Sun Conference Tournament Central

LAKELAND, Fla.—A stellar shooting second half helped Southeastern advance to its third Sun Conference Men's Basketball Championship Game since 2015.
 
The Fire shot 60% in the second half and 3-of-5 from 3-point range in an 81-69 win over Ave Maria in Friday night's semifinal game.
 
The teams also met in the regular season finale with the Gyrenes winning by 10 thanks to a big second half effort.
 
Southeastern (22-8) was paced by Riley Minix, who fouled out of Saturday's game, scoring 20 points, connecting on four 3-pointers, and hauled in seven rebounds, recorded four steals, and picked up two assists in 33 minutes.
 
The conference freshman of the year was responsible for seven of the Fire's first eight points, giving SEU an 8-6 lead just 2:37 into the game.
 
Dylan Patrick gave the Fire their biggest lead of the first half, connecting on a 3-pointer with 4:11 left to take a 30-22 advantage.
 
At the break, the Fire led 38-31.
 
Ave Maria opened the second half on an 8-3 run to tie the game on a Greenan Sullivan layup at 41-all with 16:56 to play. The Gyrenes took the lead on their next possession with a Marcus Montalvo 3- pointer, but the Fire responded with the next seven points of the game.
 
With 8:41 remaining in the game, a layup by Isaiah Moody put the Fire up nine, but Ave Maria again was able to come back with seven straight over the next 2:34 to get within two. Southeastern was able to stretch the lead back at the 5:06 mark on a 3-point play by Jeremy Oppenheimer.
 
Oppenheimer finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, playing all 40 minutes.
 
Karl Jeanty was also in double figures with 10 points and had eight rebounds.
 
The Fire bench also came through in a big way, getting 14 points from Devon Ford and 10 points from Moody.
 
Saturday's championship will begin at 7:30 p.m. against either Keiser or St. Thomas.