LAKELAND, Fla. – The Fire could not find a way to finish on Saturday evening. Warner University sank a 3-pointer in the final seconds and upset Southeastern University, 81-79, in Sun Conference women's basketball action at The Furnace.
Warner turned a 10-point halftime deficit into a 59-55 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of play. The Fire battled back for the one-point lead, 65-64, on a Mya Herman layup with 7:53 remaining. SEU edged ahead five more times until Jodi Mullins' two free throws pushed them to a 79-78 advantage with eight seconds to go. Warner called a time out and drained the go ahead 3-pointer with2.1 seconds left on the clock. Mullins threw up a desperation half court attempt at the buzzer, but her shot did not connect and the Royals victory was secured.
With the loss, SEU (22-5) saw its five-game win streak snapped and they dropped to 11-3 in The Sun Conference. Warner (8-16/4-10 Sun Conference) grabbed its first win in Lakeland in 13 years since a 73-67 decision on February 4, 2012.
The Fire saw their double-digit lead erased in the third quarter when they went cold from the field and were outscored 21-7 by Warner. In the frame, SEU made only 2 of its 13 field goals.
Mullins had another high-output effort with nine field goals made, including three treys and 7-of-8 free throws for 28 points. She also handed out eight assists, had three steals, and two rebounds.
Grace Field had an equally big game inside with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, and pulled down 16 rebounds for a double-double. She added two assists, two blocks, and three steals.
Herman chipped in 13 points, four boards, four assists, and three steals. Courtni Demorest downed four triples for 12 points and pulled down five rebounds, while Anaya Coleman contributed four points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kassidy Jones had five points off the bench.
Courtney Logan paced Warner with 19 points, including assisting the game-winning three.
The Fire return to action next Saturday when they travel to Ave Maria to face the Gyrenes. Tip-off is at 2 p.m.
