LAKELAND, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's basketball team nearly climbed out of a 17 point second half hole on Thursday, but could not come all the way back in a 75-65 defeat to the Southeastern University Fire at The Furnace in Lakeland. 

The Fire raced out to a 17-point lead in the first half, powered by nine three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes, but Ave Maria got back within two in the second half before falling. The win enough for the Fire to earn a split of the season series following AMU's home win back in November.

Southeastern came out of the gates red hot on Thursday, shooting better than 50 percent from the field and from long distance in the first half. The host Fire knocked down nine three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes, outscoring AMU 27-9 from beyond the arc. That difference in three-point shooting provided much of the halftime difference, as the Fire entered the break with a 47-30 lead.

The Gyrenes started to make it interesting in the second half, starting the frame on a 7-0 run and keeping the Fire from making a field goal for nearly six minutes. However, the Gyrenes were only able to get within ten during this run, before Southeastern was able to break the streak and keep their lead at double figures.

That wasn't Ave Maria's final run, however, as the Gyrenes found themselves down by just two in the final five minutes. After Southeastern had stretched their lead back to 15, 62-47, with 9:45 to go, the Gyrenes scored 13 unanswered points, capped off by a Klajd Kiri dunk that made it a two-point game. From there though, SEU finished the game on a 13-5 run to seal the win. 

Although the Fire made just three three-pointers in the second half, the long distance shooting proved to be the difference in the contest, as Southeastern outscored Ave Maria 36-18 from beyond the arc. AMU did do a good job protecting the basketball with just eight turnovers, but were hurt by seven missed free throws on 14 attempts.

Klajd Kiri paced the Gyrenes in the losing effort, leading AMU with 22 points and eight rebounds. A pair of Gyrenes added a dozen points each, as both Chayse Culpepper and Vince Ventulan made five field goals. Culpepper added six assists and three steals, as well.  

AMU will face another SUN contender on Saturday, as the Gyrenes host Webber International University at Donahue Gym. Tipoff in the back half of a women's and men's doubleheader is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.