FAIRFAX, Va. – ­­­Southeast Missouri women's basketball defeated Saint Francis 82-50 on Friday as part of the Preseason WNIT.
 
Southeast got off to a hot start, grabbing an early 15-2 lead after holding Saint Francis scoreless for almost the first four minutes.
 
The strong defense remained throughout the quarter. At the end of the first period, SEMO led 23-4 holding Saint Francis to six percent shooting from the field.
 
The Red Flash offense started coming together in the second quarter, but could not gain any ground on the Redhawks with Southeast shooting 53 percent from the field.
 
Southeast took a 42-23 lead into the half behind 15 points from Tesia Thompson. Ashton Luttrull also had 12 points in the first half including two three-pointers.
 
The Redhawks limited the Red Flash to just seventeen percent shooting from the field and zero three-pointers in the first two quarters.
 
Southeast started the third quarter with 16-4 run, breaking down the Saint Francis defense at will. Kaley Leyhue knocked down two three-pointers in the period.
 
SEMO kept Saint Francis under 20 percent shooting for the third consecutive period, leading to a 61-35 Redhawks advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Saint Francis showed some aggression early in the fourth quarter, but Southeast was able to answer every time.
 
The Redhawks would go on to win the game 82-50, its second straight 30-point win.
 
It was a very strong defensive performance for the Redhawks. For the game, SEMO limited Saint Francis to 23 percent shooting from the floor and forced 21 turnovers. As a team, they had 13 steals and seven blocked shots, and outrebounded the Red Flash 45-37.
 
Tesia Thompson had her first career double-double for the Redhawks, with 18 points and 11 rebounds. She also chipped in six assists.
 
Ashton Luttrull came off the bench after starting the first two games and scored a season high 18 points with two three-pointers.
 
Kaley Leyhue came in and really helped space the floor knocking down three three-point shots in the game, finishing with 11 points.
 
The Redhawks will be back in action tomorrow at EagleBank Arena. They will player the winner of George Mason versus Old Dominion.