Box Score
Score: No. 21 Keiser Seahawks 72, No. 3 Freed-Hardeman Lions 95
Records: Keiser (11-2), Freed-Hardeman (15-1)
Location: Brewer Sports Center - Henderson, Tenn. 
Keiser Starters: Calvin Sirmans (G), Tyreon Payne (G), Cameron Stitt (F), Loghan Downie (G), Vincent Miszkiewicz (F)
Freed-Hardeman Starters: Jayson Nixon (G), Ryley McClaran (G), Peyton Law (F), Geraldo Lane (G), Makai Vassell (F)


No. 21 Keiser men's basketball could not stop the No. 3 Freed-Hardeman Lions on New Year's Eve, falling 95-72 in Henderson, Tenn. The Lions were connecting from everywhere on the offensive end, ending the game with one of their best shooting performances of the season. For Keiser, Calvin Sirmans led the way with 18 points from the floor including an 11-of-16 mark from the free-throw line. Vincent Miszkiewicz held his own down low, scoring 14 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Tyreon Payne opened the game with a three and finished the night with 13 points, surpassing 1,000 career points in the process. 

Keiser will open the new year with the New College of Florida Mighty Banyons on Saturday, January 4. Tipoff from the Student Life Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. is set for 4:00 p.m.

 


In the midst of the first half, Freed-Hardeman used a 16-2 run to separate themselves from the Seahawks, not allowing Keiser back within striking distance for the remainder of the game.
 

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FHU 51, Keiser 29

• Loghan Downie found Tyreon Payne who hit a three-pointer on the first possession of the game and gave Payne 1,000 points in his college career
• The Lions forced five Keiser turnovers in the first six minutes of action, grabbing an 11-7 lead
• KU would tie the game at 11-11 at the 12:40 mark thanks to Payne's seventh point of the first half
• Freed-Hardeman would jump back in front from there, hitting six of their next nine attempts and opening up a 27-13 lead with 8:18 on the clock
• Keiser would be able to get to the line and go 6-of-6 over the next four minutes, but the Lions held the Seahawks at distance, maintaining a 13-point lead
• The Lions caught fire once again to close out the half including a miraculous underhand three-pointer to end the period by Ryley McClaran who pushed his total to 17

FHU 95, Keiser 72

• Keiser cut into the lead to start the second half with back-to-back dunks by Cameron Stitt and Vincent Miszkiewicz before a three from Downie made it 57-40
• The Lions would bounce back with a 13-7 run before Payne hit a three going into the timeout with Keiser trailing by 20 with just over 11 minutes remaining
• The Seahawks would cut it to a 16-point deficit with 6:47 left after Downie converted a steal and a slam followed by a three to make it 80-64
• Freed-Hardeman would not let it last long, closing out the game on a 15-8 run

  

• Keiser falls to 11-2 on the year with the loss
• The loss snaps a 10-game winning streak for the Seahawks
• KU is now 4-2 against first-time opponents this season
• Keiser drops to 0-2 against ranked opponents this season
• Sirmans led Keiser with 18 points on the day, with 11 of those points coming from the free-throw line
• Miszkiewicz notched another double-double, credited with 14 points and 12 rebounds
• Payne and Downie wrapped up the double-digit scorers for KU with 13 and 10 points, respectively
• Tuesday was the first time this season that the Seahawks gave up 50 points in a half and 90 points in a game
• When the ball did come off the rim, Keiser was first to it, winning the rebounding battle, 33-31

 

•  Ties: 4
• Lead Changes: 4
• Largest Lead: Keiser (29); Freed-Hardeman (3)

Keiser will open the new year with the New College of Florida Mighty Banyons on Saturday, January 4 at home. Tipoff from the Student Life Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. is set for 4:00 p.m.

 

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