#21 Falcons Sweep Season Series With Southeastern

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida College Falcons went on the road and defeated a Sun Conference opponent for the second time in three days, this time defeating the SEU Fire 85-80 in the Furnace.

The Falcons led 42-36 at the half, despite leading by 10 points with 2 minutes remaining in the half.

SEU took the lead with 13 minutes remaining in the second half, 51-50 after a pair of Sean Shore free throws. The teams then traded the lead for about five minutes. SEU would take their largest lead of the night with 7:22 remaining after a Reggie Mesidor three-pointer. Anthony Bittar responded right back with a three to cut the deficit back to just three points.

Trailing 69-64 with six minutes and change left, the Falcons used a 16-3 run over the next four minutes to take an 8-point lead with 2:22 remaining.

SEU's Riley Minix would not go down without a fight, knocking in a pair of tightly contested threes to keep the Fire within striking distance. The Falcons handled the late-game pressure and held on for the road win.

Matt Simpson led the Falcons in scoring with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Tonight marks three straight 20-point games for FC's all-time leading scorer. Anthony Bittar filled up the stat sheet with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in 39 minutes of action. Ethan Smith chipped in 10 points in the victory.

The shorthanded Falcons were without Ray Cao and Phat Cleveland who missed the game due to injuries.

The win puts the #21 Falcons at 15-3 and winners of three straight games. The Falcons will return home to Conn Gymnasium for their next five games, starting with CAC foe Northern New Mexico College on January 19. This will be the first meeting between the two programs.