LAKELAND, Fla. – The Fire could not have started better Monday night. Southeastern University used a blazing start with the game's first 17 points and breezed past the University of Fort Lauderdale, 80-29, at the Furnace.
Jodi Mullins scored the first six points, and eight of the opening 10 points, as SEU opened a 10-0 lead in the first 3:04. Courtni Demorest added the final four points of the first 17 for the controlling margin of what would be a 23-3 opening frame. The Fire took advantage of the Eagles missing their first seven shots and committing six turnovers before they scored a single point, and one more miss before its long first-quarter bucket.
SEU (4-0) shot 19-for-38 in the first-half and held a commanding 42-9 intermission advantage. The Eagles (1-2) were never able to get on track as they missed all 15 of their 3-point tries and made only 10-of-53 field goals in the night.
Demorest guided the overall Fire offensive effort with 17 points on 7 of 16 attempts to go with a pair of steals. Mullins rounded out her night with 14 points and had two assists. Grace Field chipped in 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting for 12 points, four rebounds and two blocked shots. Mya Herman completed the four double-digit scorers with 11 points and three steals.
Anaya Coleman contributed seven points on 3-for-3 shots to go with two assists and two steals. Coming off the bench, Ariana Smuda scored seven points and pulled down six boards, while Madison Vaira had four points and two rebounds.
The Fire return to action on Friday, when they the hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Dillon, Montana where they will face Montana Tech on Friday night. Tip-off time is set for 7 pm. EST.
