CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Southeast Missouri women's basketball team took down Missouri Valley 69-34 in its annual Classroom on the Court game on Tuesday.
 
The Redhawks jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, getting into the paint early and getting easy buckets. Deja Jones had eight first quarter points on 4-5 shooting while the Vikings only managed to score nine points the entire period. SEMO lead 16-9 at the end of one.
 
In the second period, the Redhawks kept up the defense, allowing just 4-15 shooting in the quarter and forcing four more turnovers. Deja Jones had another strong quarter pouring in another 9 points, marking 17 in the first half.
 
The Redhawks were on top 32-19 heading into halftime.
 
In the second half, Southeast came out with similar defensive aggression, not letting anything come easy for Missouri Valley. The Redhawks used seven steals and three three-pointers from Kayley Leyhue in the second half to stretch the lead to over 30 points.
 
Southeast would go on to win 69-34.
 
On the offensive side, the Redhawks shot 47.5 percent from the field and 8-12 from the free throw line.
 
Deja Jones finished with 21 points and 11 boards, netting her first double-double of the season.
 
Jessie Harshberger was all over the place defensively; she set two career highs in points (12) and steals (3).
 
Kaylee Leyhue provided a good shooting spark off the bench with 11 points on the game, all coming in the second half.
 
True freshman Tesia Thompson had another solid performance in her second career collegiate game, putting up 11 points and six rebounds and 4 steals.
 
Adrianna Murphy had another very solid all-around game. She helped get her teammates involved with nine assists on the day but also poured in eight points of her own and grabbed three rebounds.
 
Former Redhawk Hilma Mededovic led the way for the Vikings putting up 16 points and snatching eight rebounds.
 
For its next game, Southeast will travel to George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. to take on Saint Francis University for the second round of the Preseason WNIT. Tip-off for that game is set for 12 p.m., ET. The Redhawks will also play the following day versus either Old Dominion or George Mason.