REDDING, Calif.—The No. 2 ranked Southeastern University women's basketball team used a dominant third quarter to overwhelm the Simpson University Red Hawks, winning by a score of 86-40. With the win, the Fire move to 3-2 on the year.
The Red Hawks were able to keep things close early with the score tied at six before the Fire were able to open things up to lead 24-11 thanks to a 18-5 run to end the first quarter. Junior Taylah Simmons got off to a hot start in the first, getting 10 of her 24 total points in the quarter. Simmons would finish three rebounds shy of a double-double.
The Red Hawks wouldn't go away quietly, however, as they cut the Fire lead to just three with the score at 26-23 midway through the second quarter. Southeastern would go on a 15-4 from that point to take a 41-27 lead into the half. The Fire drilled three 3-PT attempts in the final minute of the half to extend their lead, two of which came from senior Eliza West. West would finish the night with 14 points and 7 assists, and connected on all three of her 3-PT attempts.
At the half, Southeastern was shooting 35% from 3-PT range and 53% on their shots inside the arc.
The Fire used a strong third quarter to seal the win, outscoring Simpson 26-6. Sophomore Raegan Linster was key for Southeastern in the period, as she knocked down two three-pointers, tallied three assists, and had a rebound and an assist. Linster would go on to finish tonight's contest with 11 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Leading 67-33 after three quarters of action, the Fire outscored the Red Hawks 19-7 in the fourth to cruise to a 86-40 victory. Southeastern harassed Simpson all night, forcing 30 turnovers and used those to score 48 points, compared to the Red Hawks four points off turnovers. The Fire's height advantage was key as well, as they outscored Simpson 44-8 in the paint.
Freshman Haley Howarth scored nearly half of the Fire's bench points, as she totaled 11 points, going 3-4 from deep.
Southeastern returns to action on November 16th when they host RV St. Thomas in their home opener in The Furnace at 5 p.m.
