Big Second Half Propels Fire Men’s Basketball to Road Win

by | Jan 12, 2019 | RRSN News | 0 comments

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.—The Southeastern University men’s basketball team had to survive a strong start from its opponent.
Florida Memorial connected on eight 3-pointers in the first half and led by as many as 13, but the Fire shot better than 70% in the second half to score a 95-84 win over the Lions.
“Our guys are very confident in what we do and we approached the last 10 minutes of the second half with the midset of getting stops and Jeremy Oppenheimer hits a big shot, Josiah Barsh has been consistent, and Isaiah Moody gets us going and gets us to the rim,” said coach R-Jay Barsh.
Josiah Barsh scored 21 of his career-high 33 points in the first half to keep SEU (16-3, 9-0 TSC) in the contest, which included making all three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt with 17 seconds left in the half to tie the game at 41.
The Fire ended the first half on a 7-0 run, then started the second half with six straight points to go up 47-41 with 18:07 left in regulation.
Florida Memorial (2-13) battled back to take a six-point lead of their own at the 13:41 mark of the second on one of Carlie Nedd-Araujo’s eight 3-pointers in the game. Southeastern answered with layups on their next two possessions, then a 3-pointer by Barsh to cut it to one.
A pair of free throws by Linwood Ross gave the Fire the lead for good with just under 13 minutes left.
Southeastern was 22-of-31 (71%) from the field and 6-of-7 (85.7%) at the free throw line in the second half.
“On the road in The Sun Conference, you have to attack the rim and make free throws, and that’s been our M.O. all season, Credit to Florida Memorial, they shot the lights out the first half and we weathered the storm.
In addition to Barsh, Moody was in double figures with 22 points, going 7-of-11 from the field and 8-of-11 from the line. Oppenheimer added 16, and Ismael Celestin chipped in 12.
The Fire return home on Thursday to host Webber International.

Related Stories

Grace’s men’s tennis season ends at NAIA tournament

Grace’s season ends at NAIA tournament MOBILE, Ala. - Another memorable season for Grace’s men’s tennis team reached its conclusion on Wednesday. The No. 14 seed Lancers lost to No. 3 Keiser 4-0 in the Second Round of the 2025 NAIA National Championships. Grace was...

Participants set for IBCA/IHSAA Underclass Showcase events

For 2025: Girls’ event June 12 and boys event June 27, both at Ben Davis       The 23rd IBCA/IHSAA Top 100 Underclass Showcase basketball events have been set for June 12 and June 27. The 2025 girls' IBCA/IHSAA Top 100 Underclass Showcase will be Thursday, June 12 at...

Lopez Named Second Team All-MVC; Rodas on All-Defensive Team

Lopez Named Second Team All-MVC; Rodas on All-Defensive Team   Two Valpo softball players were honored Wednesday morning as the Missouri Valley Conference unveiled its postseason awards. Azalya Lopez (Corona, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt [MSU Moorhead]) was named a Second...

Valpo Athletics Holds Annual ARC Awards Ceremony Sunday Evening

Valpo Athletics Holds Annual ARC Awards Ceremony Sunday Evening   Valparaiso University student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff members gathered at the Harre Union on Sunday evening for the annual ARC Awards ceremony, celebrating the successes of this academic...

58th IHSAA Baseball State Tournament Pairings Announced

A field of 383 teams will begin play next month as the pairings for the 58th Annual IHSAA Baseball State Tournament Series were announced this evening on IHSAAtv.org. IHSAA News Release https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/050425.Baseball%20Pairings.pdf

Pairings revealed for 40th IHSAA Softball State Tournament

For the 40th year, the pairings for the IHSAA Softball State Tournament were announced this evening on IHSAAtv.org with 368 teams placed into sectional brackets. IHSAA News Release https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/050425.Softball%20Pairings.pdf

Valpo U Softball Falls in Opener at UNI

Softball Falls in Opener at UNI   The Valpo softball team held a potent UNI offense at bay through four innings Friday evening as it opened the final weekend of the regular season, but a pair of home runs propelled the host Panthers to a 4-1 victory.   How It...

Mullins voted IndyStar Indiana Mr. Basketball for 2025

Cougars' standout is sixth All-Star from Greenfield or Greenfield-Central Braylon Mullins has earned the top individual award in Indiana high school boys' basketball. A 6-6 guard from Greenfield-Central High School, Mullins has been named IndyStar Indiana Mr....

Andy Waddle Brings More Than Just Football to Valpo

When Valparaiso University hired Andy Waddle in December, it got more than simply a head football coach. Waddle won a lot of games over the last 12 seasons at Marietta College, but he’s far prouder of the lives that he has saved than the games that he has won. Waddle...