Consistent Effort Launches Fire Past Lions

No. 2 Southeastern Handles Feisty Florida Memorial on Home Court
LAKELAND, Fla. – In a total team effort, the No. 2 Southeastern University women’s basketball team handled the Florida Memorial University Lions 83-50 in The Furnace. With the win, the Fire have now won 44 consecutive regular season games and 31 straight Sun Conference contests.
The Lions were feisty out the gate of the contest, jumping out to an early 8-2 lead. The Fire battled back from the early deficit. A three pointer by Emma Karamovic with 1:41 to go in the first quarter gave SEU a 20-17 lead, an advantage the Fire never relinquished for the remainder of the contest.
“We came out flat-footed defensively, which is abnormal for us, but I thought the girls responded very well,” shared head coach Tim Hays.
The Fire buckled down defensively in the second quarter, forcing seven Lions’ turnovers during the period.
Southeastern also continued to find its offensive rhythm in the second quarter, with seven different members of the Fire registering points during the period. One of those players was freshman center Marlena Schmidt, who scored six of her 12 points in the quarter.
Schmidt recorded her fifth double digit scoring effort of the season and added eight rebounds as well. Her four blocks were one shy of tying her season high.
Senior guard Ana Richter turned in another dynamic scoring effort, scoring 16 of her 24 points in the first half. This marked the 10th consecutive game Richter has reached double digits in the first 20 minutes of action.
The Fire held a 50-32 advantage at the half.
A 10-2 SEU run to close out the third quarter put the Fire up by 29 over the Lions.
Richter finished the game leading all scorers with 24 points, while hauling in eight boards.
Junior shooting guard Jaycee Coe and Karamovic also scored in double digits, with Coe tallying 15 and Karamovic 11.
Junior shooting guard Halee Printz put up a balanced game for the Fire, totaling six points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. This marked her seventh game of the season with seven or more helpers.
“I am very proud of the way these girls are playing for each other and finding joy in the unselfish aspects of the game,” commented Hays.
The Fire keep The Furnace warm, as they host Warner next Thursday night. Tipoff is slated for 6:00 p.m.