LAKELAND, Fla.—The top ranked Southeastern University women's basketball team continued their impressive play over Sun Conference opponents last week, defeating St. Thomas 91-44 and Florida Memorial 81-54. The Fire will look to continue their 20-game winning streak this week when they welcome the Warner Royals on Wednesday, followed by a visit to Babson Park, Fla. on Saturday to face the Webber International Warriors.
Conference opponents have struggled to keep the Fire offense in check this season, as Southeastern is scoring 94.6 points per game in conference games, no other team is scoring more than 72 points per game in conference play.
Individually, junior Taylah Simmons has torched conference opponents with 27.9 points per game by shooting 65.2% from the field. That continued against St. Thomas as she poured in 29 points by going 13-18 from the field. Senior Marlena Schmidt impressed this week as well, recording a double-double and blocking six shots in each game. Simmons and Schmidt rank at or near the top of the NAIA in a few areas. Simmons is first in scoring (547) and points per game (23.8) while Schmidt is third in both total blocks (63) and blocks per game (2.74).
Collectively, the Fire are leading the NAIA in several categories with just over a couple weeks remaining in the regular season. They rank first in scoring defense per game (52.4), scoring margin (36.5), defensive field goal percentage (30.9%), and field goal percentage (50.6%).
Southeastern will host a Warner team that has won just two games entering play this week. Junior Troi Grant has been among the few bright spots for the Royals this season. She leads the team in points per game (13.3), assists per game (2.6), and steals per game (2.4). Her 2.4 steals per game has her ranked 44th in the NAIA in that category and her 55 total steals is good for 36th. Senior Alana St. Clair's 9.2 rebounds per game leads the team and places her 34th in the NAIA. The last time these two teams met took place at Warner where the Fire defeated the Royals 107-45. Simmons and Schmidt led the Fire to victory as Simmons totaled 27 points while Schmidt posted a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double.
Southeastern then travels to Babson Park, Fla. to take on a Warriors team that enters play this week with a 14-9 overall record, going 8-5 in conference play. Webber is riding a four-game winning streak with their most recent win coming against Johnson & Wales. The Warriors nearly surpassed their season-high in points scored in the 89-70 win. Webber points per game leader Taniya Patrick scored 13 points in the winning effort, right at her season average. Patrick also leads her team in rebounds per game (8.7) and blocks per game (2.7). Southeastern defeated the Warriors in their last matchup by a score of 97-48. Junior M'caela Sellers stood out in the win as she scored 22 points, converting on four 3-PT attempts and grabbed five rebounds.
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