Box Score MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Fire picked up their sixth Sun Conference win of the season with a 65-54 win at Florida Memorial.
A sluggish start by the Fire (14-5, 6-2 TSC) saw the Lions take a 10-9 lead with 9:25 left in the first half. Southeastern answered with an 8-2 run to build a six-point lead with 6:30 left, capped off by a 3-pointer by Carlie Newman to put SEU up 17-11.
After the Lions tied the game at 17, the Fire went on a 10-0 run to close the half; holding the Lions (5-13, 2-5 TSC) scoreless for the final 5:20 of the half.
Alyssa Ramos converted three free throws with 11:39 remaining to give the Fire a 19 points lead (50-31), but 15 straight points by FMU saw the Lions make it a two-possession game with 6:40 to play. The teams traded 3's before the Fire rattled off nine straight points to regain control of the game with 59 seconds to go and take a 13-point lead.
"It was an ugly win," said Coach Jody Martinez. "We had too many missed layups, many of which were uncontested."
As a team, the Fire were just 9-of-25 from inside the 3-point line. The Fire were outrebounded 47-44, with the three rebound advantage coming on the offensive glass.
Newman was the catalyst offensively, scoring 27 points, and grabbing nine rebounds. Ramos added 13 points, and Bailey Hooker added 11 off the bench.
"Carlie had a great game, and sparked us in both halfs," said Martinez.
The Fire will host Embry-Riddle on Saturday at 5 p.m.
