ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Southeast Missouri (0-1) women's basketball team opened the 2015-16 season Saturday with a 67-52 loss to Saint Louis (1-0). 

The Redhawks finished with three players in double-digit points in the season-opening game. Bri Mitchell led the way with 18 points, falling just two shy of tying a career-high. 

"First of all, I would like to start by saying thank you to the fans who came out tonight," said head coach Rekha Patterson. "To see a lot of red in this arena was impressive. I am proud and thankful for them coming to cheer us on tonight.

"We played a seasoned team in Saint Louis tonight," Patterson added. "When we were able to make our push, they made some plays to counter us. The start of the third quarter was really tough for us; we need to figure out what we need to do better but I'm very proud of our fight."

The first quarter remainder close throughout. A free throw and a layup by Mitchell put the Redhawks ahead 3-0. 6:50 into the quarter, Mitchell drained a layup to tie the match at 7-7. Mitchell was responsible for all seven of the Redhawks first points. 

A jumper by Olivia Hackmann and a layup by SLU's Sadie Stipanovich finished out the first quarter with the Billikens just out in front, 11-9. 

Much like the first quarter, the second remained close. Mitchell started the second quarter off with a jumper to tie the game at 11-11. A jumper by Hackmann at 5:26 opened up Southeast's largest lead of the game, 19-15. 

After tying the game at 20-20, the sixth tie the game, the Billikens began to open up a lead to close the half. SLU finished the first half of the game on top, 29-23. 

Mitchell was responsible for 13 of Southeast's 23 first-half points. Mitchell added five boards in the half. 

Deja Jones finished with nine rebounds in the first half, a new career-high for the sophomore. Jones' previous career-high of eight came against Saint Louis last season on Nov. 21 at home. 

The Redhawks shot 27.6% from the field in the first half and 9.1% (1-of-11) from beyond the arc. The Billikens also struggled to find the bottom of the net as they shot 28.9% from the field and 5.9% from the 3-point line. 

The Billikens went on a 20-4 run to find a 22-point lead on the Redhawks with 3:42 left in the third quarter, 49-27. 

After that, the Redhawks began to slow down the charging Billikens and fire their own offense. Southeast scored 10 points to SLU's three the remainder of the quarter to narrow the sudden lead to 15 going into the fourth quarter, 52-37. 

The Redhawks narrowed the SLU lead to 11 points a couple times in the final frame but that would be the closest they would come to the Billikens. Adrianna Murphy capped the game with a jumper with five seconds left. Southeast fell to Saint Louis, 67-52. 

Connor King, Mitchell, and Hackmann all finished with double-digit points. Mitchell added six boards in the game to compliment her 18 points. King finished with 10 points and seven rebounds while Hackmann had 12 points, eight of which came in the second half. King was good for Southeast's two 3-pointers in the game. 

Patterson added on Mitchell: "Bri was her typical 'Memphis tough' this evening. Her toughness and fearlessness helped us early because we were a little tight and she didn't really care; she put her head down and was going to get to the rim. We need to figure out a way to get her those opportunities even more."

Jones led the Redhawks with 11 rebounds. 

Southeast finished the game shooting 31.3% from the field and 58.8% from the free throw line. 

Jackie Kemph led the Billikens with 15 points. Stipanovich recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. 

The Redhawks will return to the floor on Monday for the home opener against Harris-Stowe. The Redhawks and Hornets tip off at 6:30 p.m. from the Show Me Center. 

"We have a busy week coming up but we have got to work on taking care of the ball. We have to make some more shots but I am very proud of our fight," Patterson concluded. 

The Redhawks will be holding Monday Night Madness when they host Harris-Stowe on Nov. 16. Southeast Missouri State students have the opportunity to win prizes and giveaways during the game. 12 local restaurants and businesses will be donating gift cards and prizes that will be raffled off throughout the game. In order to win, students must enter through the student gate near the Recreation Center and must present a Southeast student ID in order to receive a raffle ticket. Additionally, the first 150 students will receive a free Chick-fil-A sandwich card.