Fire Down Wildcats in NAIA Top-15 Contest

No. 3 Southeastern Powers Past No. 15 Indiana Wesleyan for 2-0 Start
RICHMOND, Ind. – Stifling defense and dynamic shooting from behind the arc propelled the No. 3 Southeastern University women’s basketball team to its fifth straight 2-0 start. The Fire defeated the No. 15 Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats 73-54 to complete their sweep of the First Bank Richmond Classic.
The Fire shot 46.94% from the field and 50% from three-point range while holding the Wildcats to 35.29% from the field, including 35% from the perimeter.
Both teams combined to commit a total of 54 turnovers, however SEU was able to capitalize on the IWU mistakes, scoring 33 points off the Wildcats’ 30 turnovers compared to 8 points scored off 25 SEU turnovers by Indiana Wesleyan.
SEU showed resilience out the gate, holding IWU to 28.57% from the field (lowest quarter shooting percentage) and forcing 11 turnovers in the first quarter.
Senior forward Elsa Paulsson-Glantz was a steady source of offense in the first half for SEU, totaling five points in each of the first two periods to lead all scorers with 10 points at halftime. Glantz finished the contest with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a block.
The Fire led the Wildcats 35-25 at the half.
Senior forward Makenzie Cann exploded in the second half for Southeastern, scoring 12 of her team leading 19 points in the second half, including nine in the third quarter.
Cann was a perfect 3-3 from behind the arc in the third period, her last of which with 3:10 to go in the period gave the Fire their largest lead of the contest at 28 (58-30). The Kentucky transfer also finished the day with a team high six steals.
The Wildcats were unable to reduce the deficit to any less than 14 in the fourth quarter.
Senior guard Jaycee Coe notched her second consecutive double-digit scoring effort with 12 points, six rebounds, and five steals. Senior guard Hailee Printz was the fourth double-digit scorer for SEU with 11 points.
The win extended Southeastern’s regular season win streak to 55.
Up next, the Fire return to Polk County to open up Sun Conference play at Webber International on Thursday November 15. Tipoff in Babson Park is scheduled for 6 p.m.