Defense Key in Women's Basketball win over Warner

LAKELAND, Fla. - The SEU women's basketball team continued their 15-game win streak Thursday night in a 92-39 win over the Warner Royals. In their third matchup with the Royals, Fire defense proved strong, giving up only 11 points in the first half.
 
SEU forced 32 turnovers as a team and had 21 steals collectively. Offensively, the Fire had an impressive shooting night with a field-goal percentage of 52%. They also shot 42% from the three-point line and knocked down 21 of their 29 free throw attempts.
 
Gabrielle Ozoude put numbers on the board quickly for the Fire, scoring the first seven points for the Fire. Ozoude finished the game with 19 points and nine rebounds. Bekki Kaladjiev led the team in scoring with a game-high of 22 points. She also forced four steals and dished out four assists.
 
The Fire came out of the gate strong at halftime, scoring 32 points in the third quarter alone. They had great ball movement, getting the ball up the court and scoring off transition offense.
 
"I think that is what's benefiting us the most right now is on rebounds defensively, we're able to push the floor, our guards are able to get wide, our bigs are running, and then the defense is going to have to reflect off that," senior and key leader Madi Hecox says.
 
Hecox had six assists and six rebounds tonight, making an impact in ways other than scoring baskets. Carmen Handy and Haley Howarth were also double-figure scorers this evening. Handy put up 14 points, while Howarth chalked up 11 points.
 
The Fire will travel to Miami Gardens this weekend to face Florida Memorial University Saturday at 2 p.m.