LAKELAND, Fla. – Fire women's basketball kicked off their season on a high note this evening by defeating #21 Madonna University, 62-58.
Southeastern began the scoring with a
Carlie Newman long ball and held a small lead through three minutes, but found themselves down seven, 21-14 at the end of the first quarter.
They began chipping away at the deficit in the second quarter and topped it off with a 7-0 run beginning at the 2:35 mark to go up 32-31 at half.
Southeastern added a 14-0 run to kick off the third quarter for their largest lead of the game, 46-31, and a total of 8:11 of shutout basketball. The Crusaders put just six points on the board in the third quarter and were down 50-37 at the horn, but they had other plans for the fourth.
The tides turned with a Madonna 15-2 run to knot it at 52 with five minutes to play.
Shots were traded until the clocked showed 1:28 and a score even at 56. The Fire's final six points were from the line.
Bailey Hooker led the Fire with 16 points while Florida Southern transfers,
Ali Sanders and
Christin Strawbridge put up 15 and 14, respectively. Sanders went an impressive seven for seven from the line while Strawbridge led the team with 12 boards.
The Fire will take the court again on Friday against Trinity Baptist. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at The Furnace.
