LAKELAND, Fla. - The Fire women's basketball team is set to travel to Thomasville, Georgia where they aim to continue their monumental season. After a 35-point thrashing over Webber International University, the Fire continue to prove why they are the most feared team in the Sun Conference and arguably one of the most formidable teams in the nation.
Game 19: Southeastern University (18-0, The Sun Conference 10-0) at Thomas University (7-10, The Sun Conference 4-5)
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Depth: Separating the Fire from their opponents has been solid play from the bench players. In the past four games the bench has combined for 60 points. Jenny Dee, Cassidy Block, and Trisha Jacobs, all play a big part in the Fire's success.
Block, is an intricate part to the rebounding efforts. The native of Naperville, Illinois is able to find a way to the basket and generate second chance opportunities with her 37 offensive rebounds. Total, Block has tallied 81 rebounds and is shooting 44.9% from the field.
UC Irvine transfer Dee is one of the many downtown threats on the Fire roster. A native of Vista, California, Dee has made 31 3-points and has assisted in 31 baskets. Her outside shooting and ability to find the open player makes her another viable option for head coach Tim Hays.
The acquisition of freshman point guard Jacobs this offseason was one that has substantially helped the Fire. Prepped at Brock High School, Jacobs is able to create plays with her speed and ball-handling skills. As teams have started to apply a three-quarter and full court trapping defense, Jacobs is one of the spark plugs to counter this style of play and create space for her teammates.
The Top 10: While the team is slated eighth in the Coaches' poll released on January 10th, the Fire as a collective group rank in the top 10 of 14 statistical categories. Opposing defenses have yet to find an answer to a Fire team that ranks first in all of Division II NAIA basketball in field goal percentage (47.5%).
The Fire rank third in Assist/Turnover ratio mainly due to the stellar play of senior guard Alyssa Ramos. Ramos ranks 1st in all of Division II NAIA basketball in assist/turnover ratio (4.650). The Sun Conference leader in assists contributes to the team's average 20.11 assists per game which is good for third in all of Division II NAIA basketball.
Sarah Green and Christin Strawbridge both make up a paint combination that opponents have yet to match up with. Green, the University of Central Florida transfer is the Sun Conference leader in blocks averaging 2.11 per game which puts fifth in the NAIA DII national rankings.
When the basketball is in her hands, Strawbridge finds a way to score. The 2016 Polk County female athlete of the year is shooting 61.1% from the floor which puts her in the seventh position in the country.
The Night Hawks: Led by head coach Coretta Brown in her fourth season at Thomas University, the Night Hawks are currently in sixth place in the Sun Conference Standings.
The duo composed of freshman J'Nyiah Daniels and junior Micah Garvin has been quarterbacking the Nighthawk offense all season. In 16 games, Daniels is averaging 12.6 points per game and is shooting 40 percent from the floor. Garvin, a multifaceted player herself, is able to shoot the deep ball shooting 44.4 percent from beyond the arc. She is averaging 10.6 points per game along with 6.4 rebounds.
Arianna Anderson is the Night Hawks main glass cleaner. She leads the team in both rebounds with 116 and steals with 27.
Ball-security seems to plague the Night Hawks as they have turned the ball over 358 times compared to the Fire's 246.
All-in-all the Night Hawks are currently fighting for a playoff spot. With this being said, Thomas will come out with intensity and passion as they play on home court. The question is, will it be enough to to end the Fire's historic run.
For updates on all the action be sure to follow @SEUFireWBB on Twitter.
