Fire Wrap Up Wildcats to Remain Unbeaten

No. 2 Southeastern Jolts Past Johnson & Wales in Dominant Fashion
LAKELAND, Fla. – The No. 2 Southeastern University women’s basketball team polished off another spotless week in Sun Conference play, defeating the Johnson & Wales University Wildcats 94-54. This marked the 48th straight regular season victory and 35th consecutive Sun Conference win for SEU.
Junior guard Jaycee Coe and junior small forward Emma Karamovic helped fuel the Fire to a solid start. Coe and Karamovic combined to score 14 of Southeastern’s 21 first quarter points. The Fire led the Wildcats 21-11 at the end of the first period.
SEU created more distance between itself and JWU in the second quarter thanks to offensive contributions from all over. Seven different players registered a point during the period. The Fire also suffocated the Wildcats with defensive pressure during the second quarter, forcing seven of JWU’s 11 first half turnovers and holding the Wildcats to just seven points scored during the second quarter.
“I think we are starting to get more consistent on the defensive end of the floor. It has taken some time to get our rotations and assignments down, but I think we are starting to turn a corner,” shared head coach Tim Hays.
Southeastern led Johnson & Wales 42-18 at the half.
After being held to eight points in the first half, senior guard Ana Richter exploded for a monstrous conclusion to the contest. Richter scored 21 of her 29 points in the second half, including a 12 point third quarter.
Hauling in 11 rebounds on the night, Richter recorded her fourth double-double in her last six games. The Oxford, Ohio native also tallied five assists and five steals.
A 15-5 run to end the third quarter put the Fire up 70-30 heading into the final period of play. The 40 point JWU deficit proved to be the final SEU margin of victory.
Coe finished the night with 19 points and five three point field goals made, which is her average amount of three pointers made over her last four games. Karamovic totaled 14 points and five boards. Junior point guard Halee Printz totaled nine assists.
“I’m proud of the effort and workman like attitude that this team has displayed that has gotten us to this point,” commented Hays.
The Fire look to continue their dominant pace, as they welcome Ave Maria into The Furnace next Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.