LAKELAND, Fla.- After a passing a home test on Monday afternoon versus No. 13 Saint Francis (Ind.) 87-64, the No. 2 Southeastern University women's basketball team welcomes more challenging competition to The Furnace this week. First, the Fire face NCAA Division II Ferris State University before taking on No. 1 Concordia (Neb.) University for the second time this season in another rematch of the 2019 NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship Game.
GAMES:
SEU Christmas Invitational, The Furnace, Lakeland, Fla.
Thursday, 2:00 p.m.Â
vs. Ferris State University Bulldogs
Friday, 4:00 p.m.Â
vs. No. 1 Concordia University (Neb.) Bulldogs
COVERAGE:
LIVE VIDEOÂ Â
LIVE STATS
FIRE FOCUS:
- The Fire held Saint Francis to 64 points in their most recent win. The SEU defense has not allowed a team to hit the 70-point mark this season. The Fire lead NAIA Division II in Scoring Defense per Game, allowing an average of just 49.7 points per contest.
- SEU also ranks Top-10 in seven other NAIA DII defensive categories, including second in Team Field Goal Percentage Defense (.303), fourth in Total Rebound Margin (12.2), and fifth in Blocks per Game (5).
- After averaging 8.1 points per game with two double-digit scoring efforts through her first eight games of the season, junior guard M'Caela Sellers is averaging 14.6 points per game with four double-digit scoring efforts over her last five outings.
- Senior point guard Eliza West has recorded four or more assists in 10-straight contests.
- Senior center Marlena Schmidt has registered a block in 10 consecutive games for the Fire.
- Southeastern is currently riding a 13-game win streak on its home court.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
- This marks the first ever meeting between SEU and Ferris State. The Fire are 1-0 in the Tim Hays' era against NCAA Division II opponents in countable games.
- Friday marks the fourth meeting all-time between Southeastern and Concordia, all of which have occurred within the last two seasons. SEU trails the series 3-0.
- Sophomore guard Raegan Linster led SEU with 16 points against the Bulldogs earlier this season, while junior forward Taylah Simmons notched a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
- The 63 points that SEU held CU to earlier this season is the lowest offensive output Concordia has been held to this season, as well as the only time the Bulldogs have been limited to less than 80 points in a contest.
FERRIS STATE:
- The Bulldogs are searching for their first winning season since the 2011-12 campaign, which is also the last time they appeared in the NCAA DII Tournament.
- FSU is off to a 6-3 start this season, with all three of its losses coming by double digits.
- Ferris State averages 81.9 points per game while conceding an average of 75.3 points a contest. 24.1 of their 31 average field goals made per game come from inside the perimeter.
- Four-year senior guard Riley Blair leads the way offensively for FSU, averaging a team-best 19.4 points per game and shooting 57.1% from the field.
- Senior center Brayene Benner is the leading board crasher for the Bulldogs, averaging 5.6 rebounds per game and also averaging two blocks per contest.
CONCORDIA:
- The reigning NAIA DII National Champions carry an active 23-game win streak into The Furnace this weekend.
- The Bulldogs rank Top-10 in nine offensive categories in NAIA DII, including first in Scoring Margin per Game (43.8), second in Points per Game (101), and third in Three Point Field Goals Made per Game (11.8).
- CU ranks Top-10 in five defensive categories in NAIA DII, including first in Steals per Game (24.6), first in Turnover Margin per Game (19.5), and sixth in Field Goal Percentage Defense (.344).
- Senior forward Philomena Lammers leads the Bulldogs in Points per Game (15.4), Rebounds per Game (6.7), Blocks (15), and Field Goal Percentage (.597). Lammers scored 19, hauled in 10 rebounds, and registered three blocks against the Fire earlier this season.
- Senior guard Grace Berry is shooting 58.3% (21-36) over her last three contests, averaging 17.7 points per game during that stretch.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
SEU
Points per Game: 85.1
Opponents Points per Game: 49.7
Field Goal %: .480
3PT %: .338
FT%: .658
Rebounds per Game: 45.9
Turnovers per Game: 17.2
Individual PPG Leader:Â
Taylah Simmons (21.1)
Individual Rebounds per Game Leader:Â Â
Marlena Schmidt (7.9)
Individual Assists per Game Leader:Â Â
Eliza West (5)
Individual Steals per Game Leader:Â Â
Taylah Simmons (3.1)
Individual Blocks per Game Leader:Â Â
Marlena Schmidt (2.2)
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FSU
Points per Game: 81.9
Opponents Points per Game: 75.3
Field Goal %: .464
3PT %: .344
FT%: .722
Rebounds per Game: 37.6
Turnovers per Game: 14.7
Individual PPG Leader: Riley Blair (19.4)
Individual Rebounds per Game Leader: Brayene Benner (5.6)
Individual Assists per Game Leader: Shaniya Huggins (5.4)
Individual Steals per Game Leader: Adrienne Anderson (2.3)
Individual Blocks per Game Leader: Brayene Benner (2)
CU
Points per Game: 101
Opponents Points per Game: 57.2
Field Goal %: .474
3PT %: .335
FT%: .704
Rebounds per Game: 43.9
Turnovers per Game: 16.4
Individual PPG Leader:
Philomena Lammers (15.4)
Individual Rebounds per Game Leader: Philomena Lammers
(6.7)
Individual Assists per Game Leader: Grace Barry (6.1)
Individual Steals per Game Leader: Grace Barry (4)
Individual Blocks per Game Leader: Philomena Lammers
(1.4)
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