Falcons Suffer Two Losses at SEU Classic

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida College Falcons did not have a good weekend before Christmas break, suffering two close losses to drop to 12-3 on the year.

The two games could not have been more similar. First, FC took on Truett-McConnell University. Entering the game, shooting was not the Bears' strong suit. They came into the weekend averaging less than 6 made threes per game as a team at 31%.

In the first half, the Bears were scalding hot. They put up 52 points on 10-of-17 shooting from three-point range. They led FC by 9 at the half.

In the second half, FC fought back from down 14 to take a 1-point lead with 3:28 remaining in the game after an Anthony Bittar layup. An Ethan Smith split pair of free throws with 2:24 left would tie the game at 74. Truett-McConnell would score the last seven of the game, with another big three-pointer and FC turning it over on a key possession.

The Falcons shot better overall from the field, but the Bears had a 12 to 6 advantage in three-pointers made. The usual sharpshooting Falcons struggled from distance, shooting 25%. The Falcons also shot 8-of-14 from the free throw line, compared to a perfect 9-for-9 for Truett-McConnell.

Matt Simpson led FC with 17 points while sporting a hand cast. Calvin Finch contributed 16 points and 5 rebounds off the bench. Phat Cleveland had 15 points and 5 assists. Drew Kramer chipped in 10 points off the bench.

#10 Florida College vs Bethel University Pilots (Indiana)

This game was eerily similar to the day before, with the Pilots scoring exactly 52 points in the first half on a scalding three-point shooting effort. The Pilots shot 11-of-18 from three-point range in the first half. Bethel only made double-digit threes in three of their 14 games all season, and they accomplished it in just one half against the Falcons.

The Falcons again battled back like the day before, taking the lead after trailing by as many as 13 earlier. They opened the second half on a 23-10 run to take a 65-62 lead with 10:14 remaining. However, down the stretch, the Falcons made errors that the opposition made them pay for. In both games, FC fouled a 3-point shooter in the second half. Truett made all three free throws on Friday, Bethel's was an and-1 four-point play on Saturday. The Pilots would hold on to win 88-81.

Phat Cleveland led the Falcons in scoring with 21 points. Stephon Martin had a career day, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds off the bench. Matt Simpson added 11.

Up next, the Falcons will enjoy a lengthy break, before traveling to Miami to take on Florida International University in an exhibition game on December 29.

They'll take on the Welch College Flames on January 7 in Conn Gymnasium to begin the new year.