Box Score MONTGOMERY, Ala.- The Fire snapped a two-game losing streak, hitting 13 3-pointers in a 71-67 win over Faulkner University in the first game of the AUM Holliday Classic.
The Fire (7-2) built a 14-point second half lead with 11:59 to play, but the Eagles used a late 12-3 run to come within a point with 67 seconds left. The Eagles had two shots to take the lead following an SEU turnover, but were unsuccessful. The Fire converted three of four free throw attempts in the final 18 seconds to secure the win.
"At times, we buckled and turned the ball over at bad times, and gave up too many opportunities; but then there were times we handled the ball, hit the free throws we needed to and killed the clock," said Coach Jody Martinez. "They could have easily given up after the late turnover up by one, but found a way to win that is very talented."
Southeastern was quick out of the gate, scoring the first seven points of the game, including Alyssa Ramos hitting the first of her game-high five with 18:35 to go. The Eagles battled back to tie the game at 12, then led 14-12 and 17-15 with 9:04 left. Ramos answered with another 3-ball at the 8:39 mark of the half to put the Fire in control for good.
SEU closed the half on a 6-2 run to take a 37-28 lead at the break. Senior Emma Loucks scored the first eight points of the second half for SEU to push it to a 10-point advantage with 15:06 left in the contest. An 8-0 run by the Fire built their 14-point advantage, as they held Faulkner 0-for-7 from the field, and scoreless for over 3:30.
"It was good that we were able to hit the 3's that we did early, and build the lead," said Martinez. "Two of our keys were outside shooting and rebounding. We did a decent job keeping them off the offensive glass."
Ramos recorded a team-best 19 points, going 5-of-8 from long range, and 4-of-5 at the free throw line. The sophomore also had four assists and a steal. Loucks added 17 points, 15 coming in the second half of play; she also added six rebounds and an assist. Junior Cassidy Block added 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
As a team, SEU was 39% from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 77% at the free throw line.
The Fire next take the floor tomorrow against the host Auburn-Montgomery at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
