LAKELAND, Fla. --- The Ave Maria men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought contest at Southeastern on Tuesday night. The Gyrenes had a slight edge in field goal percentage but the Fire made 13 threes compared to seven by Ave Maria to come away with the win.
 
Nate Krimsky led the Blue and Green with 22 points and seven rebounds. Brandon Dean continued to shoot the ball well, finishing with 20 points and five rebounds. Martez Harris (15 pts.) and Julian Adams (10 pts.) also finished in doubl-figures for AMU.
 
The Gyrenes dominated points in the paint, 40-20, but were outscored by the Fire 39-21 from behind the arc.
 
Larry Taylor led the Fire with 27 points and seven rebounds. Caleb Konieczny finished with 22 points while Jake Hodges added 17 points.
 
Southeastern held the lead for much of the opening half before back-to-back baskets by Martez Harris put the Gyrenes in front 35-33 with 2:13 to play in the half. Southeastern ended the half on a 9-2 run to take a 42-38 lead into half.
 
The Fire extended their lead to seven early in the second half but a trey followed by a made jumper by Brandon Dean brought AMU within two, 56-54, with 12:33 to play. A few minutes later after a Nate Krimsky jumper in the paint, Dean hit a three to give the Blue and Green a 63-61 lead with 9:58 remaining.
 
With AMU leading 67-64, Southeastern made four straight shots, including three from behind the arc, to take a 75-67 advantage on the Gyrenes. Southeastern made their free throws down the stretch to edge the Gyrenes 87-76.
 
Ave Maria returns to the court on Thursday night when they welcome Florida College to Tom Golisano Field House for a non-conference matchup. The game is set to tip at 7 p.m.