SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—An upset-minded Fire women's basketball team came up just short of handing No. 2 Westmont its first loss of the season.
Despite a 23-17 lead after 10 minutes thanks to a stellar shooting effort, Southeastern ended up on the short side of a 67-60 game to open up the Westmont Holiday Classic.
The Fire (6-8) were successful on 10 of their first 16 shots including all three of their 3-point shots to lead by as much as six in the quarter against a team that holds its opponents to just 35% from the field. Southeastern also ran into some foul problems, getting called for five in the first quarter, turning into a pair of made free throws for Westmont (12-0).
During the second, a 3-pointer at the 8:55 mark by
Josselin Geer and one at the 8:00 mark by
Gabby Suarez gave the Fire a 29-22 lead for their biggest advantage of the game. However, the Fire finished the half just 2-of-9 from the field over the final eight minutes and were outscored 15-6 during that span to head to halftime down 37-35.
A layup by Geer with 9:33 left in the third tied the game at 37 and a possession later took the lead on an
Emilia Sexton 3-pointer to go up 40-39. The Fire then went cold, missing their next three shots and fell behind 45-40 but used back-to-back makes by Geer and
Anja Knoflach to get within one with 4:09 left in the third. The game remained within a possession until just 35 seconds left in the quarter on a Sage Kramer layup to put the Warriors up 50-45, but a 3-pointer by Suarez cut the lead to two heading to the final quarter.
Over the final quarter, the Fire went just 2-of-12 from the field and trailed by six with 3:41 to play. Success at the free throw line gave the guests a chance, highlighted by two successful charity tosses by
Kiki Britzmann with 56 seconds left to tie the game at 60. Westmont split a pair of free throws on its next possession and an offensive rebound turned into a layup to put the Warriors up 63-60 with 32 seconds left. Southeastern turned the ball over on its next possession, ending its chance to come away with the win.
Suarez led all scorers with 25 points, going 7-of-13 from 3-point range, and also led the team in rebounds with six and assists with three. Geer added 12 points, and Britzmann had 10 off the bench.
The Fire will return to action tomorrow against No. 14 Vanguard at 5:30 p.m. Eastern.
