LAKELAND, Fla. – After a 12-day hiatus, the No. 3 Southeastern University women's basketball team is back in action this week. The Fire turned in a 2-0 sweep of the First Bank Richmond Classic with wins over RV IU East (72-51) and No. 15 Indiana Wesleyan (73-54). SEU is off to its fifth-consecutive 2-0 start, and looks to build upon that start as the Fire open up Sun Conference play. Southeastern opens up TSC competition on the road in Babson Park versus Webber International before hosting Warner in the home opener.
GAMES:
No. 3 Southeastern (2-0, 0-0 TSC) at Webber International (2-1, 0-0 TSC) Thursday 5:30 p.m.
No. 3 Southeastern (2-0, 0-0 TSC) vs. Warner University (4-2, 0-0 TSC) Saturday 5:00 p.m.
COVERAGE:
WATCH/LIVE STATS
FIRE FOCUS:
- In the early goings of the 2018-19 season, the Fire lead NAIA Division II in three-point percentage after shooting .487 from behind the arc through their first two contests.
- Senior guard Jaycee Coe led the way for SEU in the opening week of play, shooting .500 from three-point range and averaging 18 points and six rebounds per game.
- SEU also was stout on defense in the first slate of competition, holding opponents to a combined 31.3% shooting from the field and forcing an average of 20 turnovers in each contest.
- The Fire have been strong coming out of the locker room in the second half thus far, outscoring opponents a total of 43-19 in the third quarter.
- With the two wins to start the season, Southeastern extended its regular season-win streak to 55 games.
SOAK UP THE SUN:
- The Fire also hold a streak of 42 consecutive victories over Sun Conference opponents.
- The last Sun Conference loss for SEU came on 2/10/16 versus Thomas (70-64). The average retail price of gasoline in the United States was $1.72, $1.03 less than the average retail price now.
- Southeastern has outscored conference opponents on average 83.48-51.26 during that stretch (3,506-2,153), a margin of 32.22 points per contest.
- SEU looks to clinch its fourth-straight Sun Conference Regular Season Championship this season.
ALL-TIME SERIES:
- Webber International won the first six meetings with Southeastern. However, the Fire have won 12 of the last 16 meetings with the Warriors to take a 12-10 lead in the all-time series.
- SEU has won six-straight versus WIU, having not lost to Webber International since 12/2/15, which happens to be the last time the Fire lost on their home court.
- Warner won 20 of the first 21 meetings versus Southeastern and leads the all-time series 20-13.
- The Fire have won 12-straight versus the Royals, not having lost to WU since 1/8/13.
THE WARRIORS:
- Webber International is looking to bounce back from last-place finish in The Sun Conference in 2017-18, which included a 3-15 mark in league play.
- The Warriors are off to a 2-1 start this season after wins over Trinity College (96-63) and Truett McConnell (74-49).
- Freshman forward Taniya Patrick has been a formidable presence in the post for the Warriors thus far, averaging 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks per game.
- All in all, WIU has four players averaging double-digit scoring per contest.
THE ROYALS:
- Warner finished one spot ahead of Webber International in the conference standings last season, compiling a 5-11 record in TSC action.
- The Royals are 4-2 thus far, scoring victories over Trinity College (71-48), Florida National (80-69), Middle Georgia State (66-58), and Trinity Baptist (96-52).
- Sophomore guard Daijah Turner has been a dynamic standout for Warner, averaging 19.3 points, 6.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.8 steals per game.
- Junior guard Valeria Merlos is shooting a team-best .449 from behind the arc thus far (22-49).
TALE OF THE TAPE:
SEU
Points per Game: 72.5
Opponents Points per Game: 52.5
Field Goal %: .452
3PT %: .487
FT%: .711
Rebounds per Game: 34
Turnovers per Game: 20
Individual PPG Leader:
Jaycee Coe (18)
Individual Rebounds Leader:
Jaycee Coe (12)
Individual Assists Leader:
Halee Printz (11)
Individual Blocks Leader:
Marlena Schmidt (3)
WIU
Points per Game: 76.7
Field Goal %: .453
3PT %: .345
FT%: .560
Rebounds per Game: 46.7
Turnovers per Game: 17.3
Individual PPG Leader: Taniya Patrick (15.3)
Individual Rebounds Leader: Taniya Patrick (22)
Individual Assists Leader: Breyonna Reed (16)
Individual Blocks Leader: Taniya Patrick (13)
WU
Points per Game: 67.4
Field Goal %: .357
3PT %: .327
FT%: .715
Rebounds per Game: 36
Turnovers per Game: 13.7
Individual PPG Leader: Daijah Turner (15.3)
Individual Rebounds Leader: Cheyenne Daphney (59)
Individual Assists Leader: Daijah Turner (40)
Individual Blocks Leader: Cheyenne Daphney (14)
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