KINGSPORT, Tenn.—The Southeastern men’s basketball team suffered its first loss of the season to Rochester College, 83-70 during the NAIA Division II Showcase.
The Warriors, which are receiving votes in the preseason Top 25, connected on 53% (35/66) from the field, 36% (8/22) from 3-point range, and all five of its free throw attempts.
Southeastern (4-1) held a five-point lead twice in the first half, but a 10-4 run by Rochester gave the Warriors a 21-20 lead with 10:20 to play in the first. A bucket by Isaiah Moody put SEU up a point with 10:03 left in the half, but Rochester answered with nine straight points to go up 30-22 at the 8:07 mark.
RC added a pair of 3-pointers in the final 84 seconds of the half to go to the locker room up 48-39.
The Warriors opened the second half on a 7-2 run, leading 55-41 with 16:55 left. Southeastern got as close as six with 13:03 left when Josiah Barsh, Linwood Ross, and Moody strung together three straight baskets with 12:32 to play but were unable to get any closer.
Rochester created separation with a 10-0 run in just 90 seconds to hold a 69-53 lead with 9:02 left.
Each time SEU crept back in, the Warriors were quick to respond with a run to stretch the advantage back to double digits.
Barsh led the way with a team-high 18 points, had four assists, four steals, and made all five of his free throws. Jeremy Oppenhiemer and Ismael Celestin each had 14 points, and Moody added 11 off the bench.
The Fire will take on Reinhardt Sunday afternoon in its final game at the showcase.
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