LAKELAND, Fla.—The No.1 Southeastern University women's basketball team continued their dominance against Sun Conference opponents with two more wins last week. After defeating Thomas 107-43 on Thursday, the Fire were victorious over Coastal Georgia by a score of 94-47. Southeastern continues conference play this week as they travel to Miami Gardens, Fla. to take on the St. Thomas Bobcats and return home to host the Florida Memorial Lions.
Junior forward Taylah Simmons continued her impressive season with 27 points, two assists, two steals against the Thomas Night Hawks. She went 13-of-18 from the field and the rest of the team followed suit as the Fire shot 61.5% from the field, including 15-22 from the 3-PT line. Simmons has been on a tear in conference play this season, averaging 28.6 PPG against Sun Conference opponents.
On Saturday against the Coastal Georgia Mariners, senior Marlena Schmidt powered the Fire to victory with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, her fourth of the season. Simmons again led all scorers with 19 points, while junior M'caela Sellers poured in 18 of her own. The Fire defense didn't let the Mariners get comfortable as they blocked six shots and stole the ball away nine times.
The results from the week improved Southeastern's scoring margin to 36.43, best in the NAIA. The Fire are also the top team in terms of field goal percentage defense (31.2%) and field goal percentage (50.4%). Individually, Simmons is ranked first in PPG (23.8), Schmidt is fifth in blocks per game (2.4), and Eliza West is eighth in assists per game (5.6).
St. Thomas enters play this week with an overall record of 8-13, going 5-6 in Sun Conference play. Their 58-47 win over Warner in their last time out ended a three-game skid. Senior guard Destiny Wilson led the Bobcats with 16 points in the winning effort. Team lead in PPG Anari Dozier was held to just nine points, shooting 4-of-12 from the field. Dozier is ranked 18th in the NAIA in total 3-PT field goals made (56) and 19th in 3-PT field goals made per game (2.8). In the previous contest between the two schools, Southeastern defeated the Bobcats 105-50 and were led by Simmons who totaled 35 points and ten rebounds.
The Florida Memorial Lions enter play this week 10-11 record, including a 5-6 record in conference play. The Lions dropped their most recent outing against the Webber Warriors 63-61. Aimeisha Gamble led all scorers with 23 points, converting on five 3-PT attempts. The Lions leading scorer Isis Gamble added 15 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Lane ranks seventh in defensive rebounds per game (8.1) and ninth in blocks per game (2.3). The last time these teams met, the Fire won 91-35 while shooting 62.9% from the field. Simmons led all scorers with 33 points and Schmidt added 17 points and nine rebounds.
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