WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Fire came out blazing then held tough when they needed to down the stretch. Southeastern University ran off the opening 10 points of the fourth quarter and Courtni Demorest hit the game-deciding free throws with three seconds remaining for a 67-64 Sun Conference win over Keiser University.
After jumping out to a 21-11 lead after the first quarter, the two teams played to a 20-20 tie in the second, leaving Keiser down ten, 41-31 at halftime. Keiser used a sting thrid quarter to tie the game heading to the fourth. After the 10-0 run to start the final stanza, Keiser fought back, and down 65-61 downed a triple with 10 seconds left and pulled to within a point. Demorest, though, stepped to the line seven ticks later and dropped two free throws to seal the SEU victory.
With the win, SEU improves to 21-4 overall and remained in a tie for first place in the Sun Conference at 11-2. The Fire also completed the season sweep over the Seahawks (14-8/7-4 Sun Conference) after taking the first meeting by a 75-64 final. The SEU win was also its first at Keiser since January 14, 2023 (75-69).
Jodi Mullins paced the SEU attack with 16 points, including 4-of-5 free throws, and five rebounds. Mya Herman drained a trio of treys for 13 points and stole three passes.
Demorest came off the bench to provide the other double-digit point producer with 12 points, including three 3-pointers, grabbed three boards, and added two steals. Anaya Coleman and Grace Field both chipped in seven points. Coleman had two treys to go with five rebounds, four assists and a block, while Field pulled in seven rebounds and added two assists and four steals.
Kassidy Jones added three points, three rebounds and four assists with Alley Haas accounting for five points and two assists. Ariana Smuda rounded out the effort with five rebounds, four points and two blocks.
Keiser saw Elise Ellison record a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds fo lead the Seahawks.
The Fire return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Sarasota to face New College of Florida. Game time is 5 p.m.
