LAKELAND, Fla. – The Fire kept their mid-season success going on Wednesday evening. Southeastern University used an 11-point second-quarter run and did not trail again in a 75-64 Sun Conference women's basketball victory at The Furnace.
After trailing by three in the first 10 minutes, Keiser (8-6/2-2 SUN) cut it back to the same margin, 21-18, only 54 seconds into the second quarter. SEU (14-3/4-1 SUN) surged for the ensuing 11 points with points from four different players and opened a double-digit lead, 32-18. The Seahawks had a run of their own in the third quarter, putting together 12-0 surge and pulling within six, 50-44, with 1:27 left. Courtni Demorest drained a 3-pointer as the first points of the fourth quarter and the Fire added two more baskets and never let the visitors closer than nine points in the final seven minutes.
With the win, SEU recorded its sixth-straight win and kept pace with first-place Florida Memorial, who beat Webber this evening.
Keiser outrebounded the Fire, 48-23, but they committed 22 turnovers with SEU steals accounting for 12 of those. The Fire made half of their shot attempts in the final quarter, 7-of-14, and topped the Seahawks, 21-18 in the final frame.
Four SEU starters reached double figures with Mya Herman leading the way with 17 points. Herman connected on 7-of-15 from the field with a trio of treys to go with six assists and three steals.
Anaya Coleman made half of her eight attempts, including two triples, for 15 points and stole two passes. Both Demorest and Jodi Mullins chipped in 13 points apiece. Demorest connected on three 3-pointers, stole three passes, pulled down two rebounds, and handed out two assists. Mullins made all four of her foul shots along with two boards, two assists, and a block.
Grace Field narrowly missed making it five in double digits with eight points, but she pulled down 12 rebounds, which was half of SEU's team total, with eight coming on the defensive end.
Rosa Sorribes added four points, two assists and two steals, while Alley Haas hit her lone shot, a 3-pointer. Kassidy Jones rounded out the scoring with two points and Ariana Smuda blocked three shots.
Elliana Schaefer led the Seahawks with 19 points.
SEU returns to action on Saturday when they host New College of Florida. Tip-off is at 2 p.m..
