LAKELAND, Fla. -- The No. 23 SEU Women's Basketball team battled for four quarters Saturday afternoon inside The Furnace but ultimately fell 74–66 to No. 6 Saint Francis in a tightly contested matchup.
Southeastern set the tone early, opening the game with strong ball movement and defensive execution. The Fire shot 50 percent from the field in the first quarter and knocked down three triples to take an 18–15 lead after one.
Grace Field sparked the early run, while
Mafalda Chambel and
Mya Herman connected from beyond the arc to keep the Fire in control.
The Fire extended their advantage in the second quarter, holding Saint Francis to just five points on 15 percent shooting. Southeastern continued to defend at a high level, forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance opportunities. SEU went into halftime with a 31–20 lead, shooting 43 percent from the field and holding a plus-five edge on the glass.
Momentum shifted coming out of the locker room as Saint Francis erupted for 31 points in the third quarter, shooting 76.5 percent from the floor. Renna Schwieterman led the surge with 19 points in the period alone, swinging the game in the visitors' favor. Southeastern stayed composed offensively, getting key baskets from Field and Herman, but the Fire entered the fourth quarter trailing 51–49.
The final period featured multiple lead changes and timely plays on both ends. Southeastern briefly regained the lead midway through the quarter behind strong interior finishes and perimeter shooting, but Saint Francis closed the game on a decisive late run. Cali Gregory hit back-to-back three-pointers in the final two minutes and sealed the game at the free-throw line, as the Fire were unable to convert on their final possessions.
Grace Field led Southeastern with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, posting a complete all-around performance. Chambel and Herman each finished with 11 points, while
Rosa Redondo Sorribes added eight points off the bench on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting. The Fire shot 42.9 percent from the field and 44 percent from three, finishing 7-for-7 at the free-throw line.
Southeastern finished with 26 rebounds, 14 assists, and 14 points off turnovers, matching Saint Francis in that category. The difference came in the third quarter, where the visitors' shooting efficiency proved decisive.
The Fire now turn their attention to a busy week ahead, opening the SEU Classic on Monday, December 15, against Tennessee Wesleyan University at 2 p.m. inside The Furnace. The contest marks the first of four games for SEU and seven total games during the multi-day event.
