LAKELAND, Fla.—Southeastern struggled shooting in its Sun Conference Semifinal game against Webber International, losing 91-83 in overtime.
The Warriors (19-11) went 16-of-18 at the free throw line in the second half to advance to the conference title game on Saturday at 5 p.m. The loss ended SEU's 78-game winning streak against Sun Conference teams and 25-game win streak this season.
Southeastern (26-3) went just 17-of-26 from the free throw line in the game compared to WIU at 35-of-45.
The Fire held a four-point lead with 2:21 remaining after a
Jade Odom basket, but was answered by a 3-pointer by Eletra Graham. Later,
Eliza West put the Fire up 71-69 with 1:22 left but again, the Warriors answered, getting a pair of free throws from Emmarrie Carmen with 54 seconds left.
Southeastern missed four free throws over the final 43 seconds and the Warriors missed a chance with Taniya Patrick with two seconds left to force the extra session.
In the extra session, the Fire were without conference player of the year
Taylah Simmons, who fouled out with 6:23 left, and
Marlena Schmidt who fouled out with 1:32 left.
SEU went just 3-of-11 from the field in overtime compared to Webber International at 4-of-7.
The game featured 12 lead changes and 10 ties and neither team leading by more than seven until late in overtime.
Eliza West led the Fire with 20 points, and had seven rebounds, eight assists, and two steals.
M'caela Sellers added 17 points, along with eight rebounds, three blocks, and two assists.
Simmons added 15 in just 29 minutes of work.
Southeastern, which earned an automatic bid to the NAIA Division II National Championship Tournament by winning The Sun Conference regular season title, will learn its postseason draw on Wednesday.
