MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - From the opening tip-off, Southeastern dictated the pace of this evening's contest. Even though the stakes were heightened, the Fire played solid, fundamental basketball with the same determination and intensity with which they competed this entire championship season.
Tonight's game provided Southeastern an opportunity to clinch the Sun Conference regular season title with three games remaining. In a drubbing over the Bobcats, the Fire did just that by a score of 61-38.
All aspects of the game were clicking for Southeastern, especially defense, as they were able to hold the Bobcats to single digit points in both the first and second quarters. At halftime, Southeastern had generated an impressive ten turnovers, which led to 12 points. In the total 40 minutes of play, the Fire forced the Bobcats to turn the ball over 22 times with their lockdown defense.
Christian Strawbridge was an unsolvable puzzle all night for the Bobcats. The Florida Southern transfer tallied 18 points and was unmatched on the blocks. In addition to her scoring efforts, Strawbridge contributed on the glass with six rebounds.
Just as she did in the Fire's previous meeting with St. Thomas, Cassidy Block played a meaningful role coming off the bench. In the middle of January at the time of the first match up, Block contributed 12 points and eight rebounds. The Naperville, Illinois native nearly duplicated those figures tonight, contributing 10 points and six rebounds.
Due to formidable offensive rebounding, the Fire took advantage of second chance points. The Fire capitalized on 20 offensive rebounds, which led to 18 points. The Bobcats, who struggled mightily, had six offensive rebounds that resulted in zero second chance baskets.
With three games yet to play in the regular season, one mindset remains steadfast for the Fire women, win. Southeastern will be back in action on Wednesday, February 8th, at 7p.m. in Miami Gardens when they take on Florida Memorial University.
