LEBANON, Tenn. – Fire battled back but fell short. Southeastern University stormed back with a big run in the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter, but Cumberland University hit the final shot with 7 seconds left for the 62-60 win on the opening night of the Rosa Stokes Classic.
Trailing 54-42 heading to the final 10 minutes of action, SEU scored the opening eight points with four each from Grace Field and Courtni Demorest. After a Cumberland bucket, SEU rattled off another eight-straight points capped by Mya Herman's jumper for a 58-56 lead at 2:00 left. The Phoenix tied the contest at 60-60 on a free throw with 40 ticks on the clock. The Fire committed a turnover on the ensuing possession before the host pumped in the game-winner with 17 seconds. SEU's final attempt right before the buzzer fell off the mark.
The SEU (8-3) loss snapped the squad's 3-game win streak. The Fire connected on only 8-of-28 from long range in the contest. The game featured a combined 48 turnovers, 24 of them committed by SEU.
Field led the Fire's effort with a double-double of 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 11 rebounds with three steals. Herman swiped a team and season-best seven passes to go with 12 points and two boards.
Off the bench, Demorest downed a pair of treys as part of her 14-point night while pulling in five rebounds.
Alley Haas dropped two triples for six points and handed out two assists. Anaya Coleman had an all-around game of five points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Kassidy Jones added a 3-pointer, while Jodi Mullins finished with three rebounds, two assists and two points.
Kayla Gordon led Cumberland's night with 21 points.
SEU returns to action tomorrow when they face RV Lindsey Wilson College. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. EST.
