Fire Edged By Bulldogs in NAIA Championship Rematch

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo.- In an early-season NAIA Division II National Championship Game rematch that lived up to expectations, the No. 2 Southeastern University Fire were edged out by the No. 1 Concordia University (Neb.) Bulldogs 63-62 in overtime. This marks just the third regular season loss all-time in the Tim Hays' era, two of which the Bulldogs have now been responsible for.

Concordia dictated tempo for much of the first half of play, coming out with a strong press. The Fire were held to just 16.7% (6-36) shooting from the field in the first half, including 0-10 from three point range.

CU led by as many as 20 in the second quarter and took a 32-14 lead over SEU into the half.

The Fire began whittling away at the Bulldogs' lead in the second half, as five different Southeastern players contributed to a 12-5 run in the final 4:17 of the third period to trim the Concordia lead down to 43-31.

Southeastern saved its best for the fourth quarter, as the Fire outscored the Bulldogs 22-10 and outshot CU 47.7% (9-19)-26.7%(4-15).

Sophomore shooting guard Raegan Linster bucketed 10 of her 16 team-leading points in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer with 3:10 to go in the game to tie things up 47-47.

Junior small forward Taylah Simmons' jumper just 39 seconds later, gave the Fire their first lead since 7:50 to go in the first quarter, 49-47.

SEU led 53-49 with 1:11 to go in regulation, however, Concordia was able to close things out on a 4-0 run to send the game to overtime.

There were an astounding seven lead changes in the extra session of play. However, a floater by Philomena Lammers with 29 seconds remaining proved to be the difference, as Linster's three-pointer as time expired rimmed out for SEU.

Linster finished six rebounds to go along with her 16 points. Simmons recorded her second-straight double-double, totaling 12 points and 13 boards.

Senior center Marlena Schmidt led all players with 16 rebounds, which was a single-game career best mark for her.

The Fire remain on the road to face more top-NAIA competition. Southeastern heads to Rocklin California to take on NAIA Division I No. 4 The Master's University next Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. eastern.