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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Freshman
Kara Wright erupted for a career-high 23 points and lifted the Southeast Missouri women's basketball team to a decisive 69-51 win at Austin Peay on Monday night.
The Redhawks (9-14, 3-7 Ohio Valley) snapped a six-game losing streak and secured their first season sweep of the Lady Govs (6-16, 1-9 OVC) since the 2007-08 season. This was Southeast's first win in Clarksville since Jan. 12, 2008.
“I'm so happy for this young group,” Southeast head coach
Ty Margenthaler said. “Both teams needed this game and to go on the road and get it is big. Any time you win a road game in Division I is special. In the second half we had some difference makers, especially Kara. She took over the game.”
Southeast opened the game with baskets by
Bailie Roberts and Wright, but the lead was short lived. APSU countered with a Shira Buley score and a Meghan Bussabarger three-pointer to grab a 5-4 lead three minutes in. After a media timeout, the Lady Govs got two free throws from Buley and two Kaitlyn Hill baskets to extend the run to 11-0 and grab an 11-4 lead.
Dru Haertling's three-pointer ended the Redhawks' 6:22 scoring drought and pulled Southeast within 11-7 with under 12 minutes left in the frame. The Redhawks clawed back to within two after
Brittany Harriel hit a jumper from the elbow on the next possession.
Baskets from Hill and Alexis Hardaway bumped the APSU lead back to six, though Southeast eventually pulled within two again after
Patricia Mack's jumper cut the gap to 18-16 with seven and a half left in the opening stanza.
After a Hill basket, Southeast cut the deficit to 20-19 after Harriel hit a free throw and Haertling hit
Olivia Hackmann for a layup on the break after a steal. Tiasha Gray answered with a contested jumper to make it 22-19 at the five minute mark. From there, Haertling dished the ball to Mack for another baseline jumper and hit a go ahead three-pointer a minute later to give the Redhawks a 24-22 halftime lead. Southeast outscored APSU 8-2 in the final 7:22 of the half.
Southeast came out of the locker room on fire from the outside. Roberts, Wright and Harriel hit three-pointers on consecutive possessions as the Redhawks ballooned their lead to 33-22 with 17:42 left.
After a timeout, APSU got hoops from Shelby Olszewski and Gray to pull within seven points. Southeast moved the lead back to double digits after Wright split a pair of free throws and Harriel hit two more from the charity stripe with under 14 minutes left to play.
A Gray three-pointer drew the Lady Govs to 36-29 with 13:40 to play. Two minutes later, Wright got to the basket and made a layup through a foul. She completed the and-one to extend the Redhawks' lead to 39-29 with just over 11 minutes left.
After an APSU bucket and a stop, Wright got a steal and scored in transition to make it 41-31. On the next possession, Harriel hit two free throws, giving the Redhawks a 43-31 lead with under 10 minutes left.
The Lady Govs pulled within two points twice, both on two Leslie Martinez free throws. That comeback attempt was put to bed shortly thereafter as Roberts and
Allyson Bradshaw drained back-to-back threes. After a timeout, Southeast Wright got to the basket for a layup to make it 53-37 with five and a half minutes remaining.
With the Redhawks up by 15, the Ladys Govs forced three-straight turnovers and converted them into five points to pull within 55-45 with 3:01 left. Harriel made two free throws, which were created by her offensive rebound. APSU did not get any closer the rest of the way as Southeast hit 12-straight free throws to secure the win, leading by as many as 20 points.
The Redhawks shot 40 percent from the field, including 50 percent in the second, while making 8-of-24 (33.3 percent) three-pointers and 21-of-24 (87.5 percent) free throws. The Lady Govs were held to 32.3 percent shooting (3-of-17 from deep) and went 8-of-11 at the charity stripe. Southeast enjoyed a 38-36 advantage on the glass and forced 19 APSU turnovers against 17 of its own.
Wright tallied a career-high 23 points, the second time in three games she scored over 20. She made 7-of-12 field goal attempts and went 8-of-10 at the line. Harriel and Roberts were also in double figures, chipping in 12 apiece. Harriel tied Mack for the game high with nine rebounds.
“Kara is long and athletic and she played great tonight,” Margenthaler said. “She hit her free throws down the stretch, which she has been working on. “
Southeast returns to the Show Me Center on Saturday when it hosts Eastern Illinois. Opening tip is at 3 p.m.