Score: Keiser 75, Mitchell College (Conn.) 71
Records: Keiser (5-9), Mitchell (5-4)
Location: Johnson & Wales University's Wildcat Center, North Miami, Fla.
Keiser Starters: Kroll (G), Fisher (G), Orlic (F), Gedeon (F), Matic (F)
Mitchell Starters: Finke (G), Henderson (G), Brunson (F), H. Williams (F), Santiago (C)

Keiser Highlights

• Freshman forward Aaron Gedeon continued to be a force to be reckoned with down low, as he finished tied for the game-high in points with 20. It was Gedeon's third consecutive game scoring over 20 points, and he also added eight rebounds.
• Andrija Matic had 18 points and 15 rebounds, producing his fourth double-double in the last five outings.
• Ryan Kroll entered the starting lineup and recorded a career-high nine points on 4-of-8 shooting from his guard spot.

Turning Point
The Seahawks went on a 16-4 run near the start of the second half to turn a two-possession deficit into Keiser's first lead since 4-3 early in the contest, and though Mitchell was able to tie it up late, the run seemed to spark KU with the momentum and confidence it needed to prevail on the neutral court over the Mariners.
 
How it Happened

• After getting a defensive stop, Keiser pounded the ball inside on their first possession to open the game's scoring with an offensive rebound from Gedeon and his two free-throws after a foul.
• Soon after Gedeon's opening free-throws, the teams exchanged lead changes before a four minute Seahawk offensive drought helped the Mariners go up 14-8 with 12:40 remaining in half one.
• Consecutive layups from Kroll and Gedeon drew the Seahawks back to within two points, and KU stayed close until tying it up at 20-20 following a three-pointer from Bryce Thurston with 6:06 showing on the clock.
• Mitchell responded by scoring six of the next eight points to go in front 26-22, but baskets by Matic and CJ Fisher tied the game at 26-26 with 3:53 left.
• Keiser knotted up the score once more before going  into the break, trailing Mitchell College, 33-30.
• The opening three minutes of the second half belonged to the Mariners as the Seahawks deficit grew to five before Keiser began a 16-4 run to leap out in front, 51-44, their largest lead of the game. During the stretch, Gedeon had a dunk to put the Seahawks ahead by one and Matic concluded the run from inside the paint with 13:47 remaining.
• Mitchell drew to within a possession, 53-51, after a three-pointer with 11:59 left, but KU answered right back with a 6-2 spurt to lead by six with 9:03 remaining.
• Five minutes later with KU leading 65-59, Mitchell scored five unanswered points to draw within a single point at the 3:28 mark, and then tied it up at 66-66 with 2:53 left in regulation.
• After exchanging points, Gedeon threw down another dunk with 1:11 still to play to lead by two. Keiser then forced a Mariner turnover on their next two possessions before Kroll was fouled with just 16 ticks left.
• The guard split the pair to make it 71-68, but made up for his miss with a steal on the other end as Mitchell had a chance to tie.
• On the ensuing possession, Kroll passed it ahead to Orlic who threw down a dunk to make it a five point game with five seconds remaining. 
• Mitchell then converted on a last hope three-pointer with two seconds left to stay alive, trailing 73-71, but​​​​​​ Keiser successfully inbounded the ball, and Thurston was fouled. The freshman calmly sunk both free-throws to seal the 75-71 Seahawk victory.

 
Inside the Box Score

• Keiser once again held a noticeable advantage down low, outrebounding the NCAA Division III opponent 38-27, producing 42 points in the paint to Mitchell's 32, and earning 16 second chance points to Mitchell's nine.
• The Seahawks netted 14 points off the bench, as led by Thurston's eight.
• Keiser shot 25-of-34 from the free-throw line and were rewarded for their aggressive play, while Mitchell attempted just five shots from the stripe.

Game Notes

• It was the first ever meeting between the two sides.
• Matic's 15 rebounds set a new career-high mark, as did Kroll's nine points.

 
Coach's Corner
Head Coach Bob Starkman said, "We were a bit rusty and in some early foul trouble. With one starter out and our sixth man out as well, we had some good help from our bench. We hung on at the end to secure the win."
 
Ties: 6
Lead Changes: 4
Largest Lead: Keiser (7), Mitchell (6)
 
Team Leaders
Keiser
Points: Gedeon (20)
Rebounds: Matic (15)
Assists: Fisher (4)
 
Mitchell
Points: Brunson (20)
Rebounds: Brunson (6)
Assists:  Brunson (9)
 
Up Next
Keiser has a quick turnaround for its exhibition matchup with NCAA Division I Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers on Wednesday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m.