LAKELAND, Fla.- In a stifling defensive effort, the No. 16 Southeastern University women's basketball team scored 24 points off of 20 takeaways to defeat the Webber International University Warriors 75-51 in The Sun Conference Women's Basketball Game of the Week Saturday afternoon in The Furnace.
The Fire set the pace in the first quarter, outscoring the Warriors 25-8. SEU shot 52.9% (9-17) from the field through the first 10 minutes of play, including 50% (3-6) from three-point range, while limiting the Warriors to a 18.8% (3-16) shooting percentage, including 0-5 from behind the arc. SEU scored 11 points off of seven WIU turnovers in the first quarter.
SEU sophomore shooting guard
Haley Howarth scored eight of her 11 points in the opening period.
The Fire continued their shooting success in the second quarter, where they shot 60% (9-15) from the field and grew their lead to as many as 31. SEU took a 47-18 lead into the locker room at halftime.
SEU struggled to protect the ball a bit in the third quarter, committing 13 turnovers in the period. The Warriors took advantage of the Fire miscues, outscoring Southeastern 19-17 in the period. Despite a 9-2 run midway through the fourth quarter, WIU was only able to cut the deficit to as little as 22.
Junior point guard
Bekki Kalaydjiev paced the Fire with a team-high 19 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists, and a team-best five steals.
Senior forward
Carmen Handy was a force in the post, totaling 13 points and posting a team-high six blocks. Howarth finished with five rebounds and three assists to go along with her 11 points. Graduated forward
Gabrielle Ozoude hauled in a squad-leading 10 rebounds and also scored 8 points.
Up next, the Fire travel to Lake Wales to take on the Warner University Royals this upcoming Thursday. Tip-off for that Sun Conference game is set for 5:30 p.m.
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