ROCKLIN, Calif.- The NAIA Division II No. 2 Southeastern University women's basketball team dropped another tough battle to top-five competition, as the Fire fell to the NAIA Division I No. 4 Master's University Mustangs 67-56 in their first game of the Bill Holtz Warrior Classic.
Free throw struggles and second-chance points allowed were a big difference-maker, as SEU shot 50% (8-16) from the charity stripe and surrendered 14 second-chance points to TMU, while only generating three second-effort points themselves.
Southeastern got off to an overall solid start in the first half. The Fire shot 44.8% from the field and scored 16 points in the paint through the first 20 minutes of play.
Freshman guard
Haley Howarth had another solid start for the Fire, bucketing nine of her team-leading 12 points in the first half, all of which came from three point shots.
The Fire grew their lead to as many as nine in the second quarter before a 13-6 Master's run to close the period trimmed the SEU lead down to 35-33 heading into the locker room at halftime.
A pair of free throws made by Rebekah Throns with 8:04 to go in the third put The Master's ahead 37-35 and the Mustangs did not relinquish that lead for the remainder of the contest.
Southeastern went cold from three-point range down the stretch, only making two of their final 12 three-point attempts of the contest.
As the Fire faced just a five-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter, sophomore guard
Raegan Linster attempted to provide a spark for SEU, scoring six of her eight points in the final 10 minutes of play.
A made layup by senior point guard
Eliza West cut the Mustangs' lead down to 53-52 with 5:06 to go in the game. However, The Master's closed out the remainder of the contest on a 14-4 run to cement the victory.
Junior guard
Taylah Simmons recorded her third-straight double digit scoring effort to open the season, scoring 11 while hauling in five rebounds. West also finished with 11 points and five boards of her own.
The Fire look to bounce back tomorrow as they face host school RV William Jessup. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. eastern.
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