LAKELAND, Fla. -- The SEU Women's Basketball team delivered a gritty fourth-quarter performance to edge Faulkner University, 60–58, Saturday afternoon at The Furnace, giving head coach
Joshua Epperson his 100th career victory.
The Fire shot 40.7% from the field and 40.9% from three-point range, knocking down nine triples—six of them coming in the second half. SEU also turned defense into offense, scoring 15 points off 17 Faulkner turnovers and adding 18 points in the paint to maintain control through much of the afternoon.
After leading for most of the game, SEU saw Faulkner rally late in the fourth. The Eagles pieced together an 11–3 run to erase a seven-point deficit and take their first lead since the opening quarter at 58–57 with 1:49 remaining following a free throw by Grace Anne Rose. Both sides came up empty on their next two possessions, setting the stage for
Mya Herman, who buried a three-pointer from the right wing with under 30 seconds to play to put SEU back in front 60–58. The Fire defense then came up with one final stop, forcing a Faulkner travel on the ensuing possession to seal the win.
Herman led all scorers with 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while
Kristiana Kulackovska added 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Alley Haas hit four three-pointers—all in the second half—to finish with 12 points.
The game featured three ties and 11 lead changes, with neither team leading by more than 11. Faulkner shot 36.5% from the floor and 34.6% from beyond the arc, led by Morgan DeWitt's 15 points and Ruthie Smith's 14 points and nine rebounds.
The Fire (1–0) will now hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Mount Vernon, Georgia, to face Brewton-Parker College on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
