LAKELAND, Fla. – Southeastern University jumped to an early lead and never trailed in the game, beating Nelson University 75-64 at The Furnace tonight.
After playing a high-scoring opener, SEU took an efficient attack for a second victory in the young season. After the visiting Lions tied the game at 24 only 3:06 into the second stanza, the Fire rattled off an 11-2 run capped by a Courtni Demorest triple for a new 11-point lead, 35-26. Nelson didn't go away late as it cut the deficit down to six points with 6:35 remaining only to see SEU answer with two buckets and a new 11-point margin to end the challenge.
SEU (2-0) repeated their success from the field, shooting 51.9% (27-of-52). The Fire added a second solid 3-point effort by draining 10-of-22 long-range attempts against the Lions (1-1) defense. On the other side of the ball, the Fire shut down Nelson's long range shooters, as the Lions only managed a 4-for-26 mark from three point range.
Grace Field had the hot hand as she made 8-of-9 field goals for a game-high 19 points to go with six rebounds and a pair of assists. Mya Herman hit double figures for the second night in a row with 13 points, including two trays, along with five rebounds and two assists.
The trio of Anaya Coleman, Jodi Mullins and Kacilyn Krebs contributed nine points apiece. Mullins handed out seven assists and swiped two passes, while Coleman had four assists and Krebs, two steals. Demorest downed a pair of trays and had eight points, while Kassidy Jones grabbed six boards.
Nelson was led by Kate Miller and Autumn Moore, who each had 16 points.
Krebs started the night with a SEU 3-pointer 58 seconds into the game and a Herman jumper made it 5-0, as the Fire jumped out to an 11-3 lead. Ending the first quarter, Herman hit her first 3-pointer for a 23-17 edge. SEU had a 9-point cushion at halftime, 38-29.
The Lions pulled to within six points, 45-39, less than three minutes into the third quarter, but as it was with the eventual fourth-quarter visitor's run, the Fire answered right away.
SEU returns to action on Friday night when they host Thomas University. The Homecoming weekend tip-off is at 8 p.m..
