DAYTON, Tenn.- The No. 5 Southeastern University dropped its first game of the season to the RV Bryan College Lions 76-67 in their second contest of the Bryan College Classic.
A 15% (3-20) shooting performance in the first quarter dug an early 9-0 deficit for the Fire, which turned into a 14-7 Bryan lead after 10 minutes of action.
The Fire responded by shooting 42.1% (8-19) from the field in the second quarter, including 4-9 from three point land to take a 29-27 lead over the Lions into the locker room for halftime.
Senior SEU point guard
Gabby Suarez scored 11 of her team leading 25 points in the second quarter.
Ultimately, knockdown shooting by the Lions in the second half proved too much for SEU to overcome, as Bryan shot 50% (7-14) from the field in the third quarter and 55.6% (5-9) from the field in the fourth. The free throw line also proved to be pivotal for the Lions' success, as Bryan was able to get to the charity stripe 27 times compared to Southeastern's nine on the night. The Lions knocked down 22 of their free throw attempts, while Southeastern hit just five.
Bryan outscored Southeastern 24-13 in the third quarter to lead by as many as 14.
Suarez hauled in six rebounds and dished out five assists to accompany her 25-point total.
Tahanee Bennell scored 11 and hauled in eight boards.
Angela Perry scored 10 and registered seven rebounds.
The Fire open Sun Conference play next Saturday inside The Furnace versus the Ave Maria University Gyrenes. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
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