Women's Basketball takes to the road twice this week for two Sun Conference matchups, looking to improve on their 4-1 conference record and 12-5 overall record. The Fire have won eight out of their last nine games, averaging 73 points per game over that streak, four points over their usual average.
Last week, the Fire defeated first-place St. Thomas on the road 71-60 behind four double-digit scorers. On Saturday, they defended The Furnace, taking down the visiting College of Coastal Georgia Mariners behind a career game from sophomore guard Kacilyn Krebs who knocked down six of seven threes to finish with a career high 18 points.
The Fire boast a strong defense, holding opponents to 57 points per matchup, first in the conference and 18th overall in the NAIA. They record just over ten steals a game, forcing 18 turnovers per matchup and scoring 18 points off of those turnovers. Bekki Kalaydjiev leads the Fire in steals with 2.9 per game.
Offensively, the Fire are also led by Kalaydjiev who averages 13.9 points per game, not to be outdone Kiki Britzmann follows closely with 10.4 points per game. Graduate forward Rebecca Cook cleans up the glass with eight plus rebounds per contest, leading the entire team in rebounds on the season by nearly 60.
On Wednesday, the Fire travel to Miami Gardens once more, this time they go to take on the Florida Memorial University Lions (8-9, 0-5 SUN). The Lions are looking to rebound after losing a defensive contest to Webber International University 58-53.
Florida Memorial passes the ball well, averaging 14 assists per game and scoring 70 points per match. Offensively, they have four players averaging double digit points, graduate guard Dasiah Thornton leads the team with 17 points per game, shooting 41 percent from the field and from three. She is followed closely by Chantel Barrett who scores 15 per outing.
Defensively, the Lions force 18 turnovers per contest, holding teams to 62 points. Thornton, Barrett, and Teri Evans lead the team in steals with a combined 84 steals.
On Saturday, Women's Basketball pay the Warner University Royals (7-10, 2-3 SUN) a visit. The Royals are looking to add another win to their record after defeating Keiser University last Saturday at home 83-74.
The Warner Royals are led by senior forward Jasmine Edwards who scores 16.6 per game helping the team to their 63 points per contest. Kalyah Watson contributes 8.5 to the cause, while dishing out three assists per game leading the team.
Defensively, Edwards also leads the way with 18 blocks on the season while gathering just over 30 percent of the team's rebounds. They hold teams to just over 64 points per game and force 18 turnovers per game.
The Fire tip off Wednesday night (1/24) at 5:30 p.m. against Florida Memorial University Lions, and tip off Saturday afternoon (1/27) at 2:00 p.m. against the Warner University Royals.
You can keep up with all things related to Fire Women's Basketball on our social media pages and website.
