WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—The Southeastern University women's basketball team secured the 77-60 win over Keiser to move to 3-2 on the season and 2-0 in conference play.
The Fire started and finished this one strong as they outscored the Seahawks 48-18 in the first and fourth quarters.
Southeastern wasted no time heating up as went on a 12-0 run to open the game and ended up leading Keiser 26-7 after the first quarter. As a team, the Fire went 11-20 from the field and scored 15 points off nine Keiser turnovers in the opening quarter.
The Seahawks managed to cut into the Fire lead in the second quarter, as the Fire took a 38-24 lead into halftime. Southeastern shot an even 50% from the field in the first half compared to just 28% for Keiser.
The Fire were led by sophomore
Haley Howarth and transfer
Gabrielle Ozoude who each scored ten points in the first 20 minutes of action. They each went 4-7 from the field while Howarth converted on two 3-PT attempts.
Keiser opened the second half on a 12-3 run to trim the Fire lead to just three points. The two squads would go back and forth the remainder of the quarter as Southeastern held a 55-49 lead entering the last 10:00 minutes of play.
With the score at 57-54 the Fire went on a 9-0 run that gave them a 12-point cushion thanks to three 3-PT conversions, one from
Bekki Kalaydjiev and two from Howarth giving her four on the night.
After a basket from each team made the score 70-57, the lead never got below double-digits again as the Fire sealed the win.
Southeastern used their height advantage down low to outscore Keiser 46-16 in the paint. The Fire were also able to create turnovers and score in transition as they totaled 12 steals and scored 14 fast break points.
The Fire starting lineup looked to share the ball in this one as they combined for 16 of the team's 21 assists.
Senior
Carmen Handy led SEU in scoring with 17 points and five rebounds.
Jade Odom and
Janea Benn contributed as well with a combined 14 points and 14 rebounds.
The Fire are back in action on Saturday when they host St. Thomas at 5:00 pm.
