MONTGOMERY, Ala.- Southeastern women's basketball battled out a win in their season opener today, downing receiving votes Faulkner University 70-64 to open the Sun Conference/SSAC Crossover.
Collectively, the Fire shot 45.8% from the field and 28% from three-point range.
Southeastern jumped out to a quick start, going 7-14 from the field to lead by as much as 16-6 in the first quarter.
Anaya Coleman recorded five points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in the first quarter to aid in the Fire's 16-10 lead.
The Fire kept their foot on the gas in the second quarter, extending their lead to as much as 17-points, the largest of the contest with 4:20 left in the quarter. The Fire shot 52.9% (9-17) from the field and drained three three-point shots to outscore the Eagles 21-18 in the second quarter and hold a nine-point lead going into the half.
The offensive momentum was stifled in the third quarter as the Fire shot 37.5% from the field with an 0-6 effort from three-point range. The Eagles managed to cut the deficit to six with three minutes left to play in the third but a 3-3 effort at the line by
Kassidy Jones pushed the Fire lead to 50-43. A made three-point shot by the Eagles and a good jumper by
Anja Knoflach concluded the third quarter with a 52-46 score.
A 0-6 effort from three-point range and three missed free throws by the Eagles in the final frame allowed the Fire to hold on for the win despite giving up the lead for the first time with 5:55 left to play.
The Eagles brought the score within one on a breakaway layup and tied the contest soon after by drawing a foul and going 2-2 at the free throw line. A layup then gave the Eagles their first lead of the contest but was quickly erased after a
Rebecca Cook layup that tied the contest yet again. Back-to-back layups by the Eagles gave them a 58-54 lead with 4:24 to play but a
Bekki Kalaydjiev jumper and Coleman three-point shot gave the Fire back the lead. With 1:56 left to play, the Eagles made it a one-point game, but Coleman responded with another three-point shot to make it a two-possession game with the clock winding down. Kaladjiev, Cook, and Coleman would all made their free throw shots in the final seconds, securing the 70-64 win.
Coleman led the scoring with 14 points, going 5-8 from the field and 3-4 from three-point range while also recording five rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Knoflach recorded 13 points (6-12 FG) and six rebounds while Kalydjiev had 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
Southeastern will round out their trip to Montgomery tomorrow as they take on No. 14 Loyola New Orleans at 2 p.m.
