CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—Southeastern was able to slow down one of the top offenses in the NAIA, but was unable to keep pace with top-ranked Campbellsville in an 80-55 loss to the Tigers in the first game of their Kentucky road trip.
The Fire (5-4) held the Tigers 22 points under their season average and its lowest shooting percentage of the season (50.8%) but an 8-of-16 effort from 3-point land helped make up for some of the opportunities taken away by the defense.
Rebecca Cook's fourth 3-pointer of the season at the 4:33 mark of the second quarter got the Fire within four at 27-23. Campbellsville ended the half on an 8-0 run to take a 35-23 lead to the locker room.
The Tigers also scored the first eight points of the third quarter, holding the Fire scoreless for an additional 2:35 before a layup by
Bekki Kalaydjiev finally fell home. During the 16-0 run, the Fire were 0-of-7 from the field and had six turnovers.
Cook led the Fire with a team-highs in points and rebounds with 14 and six. Kalaydjiev added 12 points and had three steals.
Southeastern closed the game with some momentum, outscoring Campbellsville 20-18 over the final 10 minutes. The Fire also finished the game 12-of-13 at the free throw line.
The Fire will close out the trip on Saturday with a game against UC Clermont at 1 p.m.
