Cape Girardeau, Mo.  – Southeast Missouri women's basketball fell at the buzzer 59-56 to the Morehead State Eagles.
 
Both times struggled to find a rhythm in the opening period on the offensive end. Southeast shot just 31 percent and had eight turnovers in the first quarter. Despite the troubles on offense, they did manage to limit Morehead State to just two field goals in the first.
 
At the end of one, SEMO led 11-9.
 
Morehead State flipped the switch and really turned up the defense in the second quarter, limiting Southeast to just two baskets in the whole period. On the offensive end things began to click for the Eagles, they made nine of 15 buckets including two three-pointers.
 
Morehead State took a 10 point advantage into halftime at 30-20.
 
Southeast came out very aggressive in the third quarter, cutting the once 10 point lead to one in just the opening five minutes of the third. The two teams went back in forth the remainder of the period, the lead never exceeding two points either way. The Redhawks scored 21 points in the period to the Eagles 11.
 
Southeast and Morehead State were tied 41-41 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The fourth period played much like the last half of the third quarter, both teams trading baskets with the lead never going past three points either way the entire period. Southeast found itself down 55-56 with under two minutes to play when Deja Jones was fouled.
 
Jones went to the line and missed the first and hit the second, tying the game at 56-56 with 1:12 left in the game.
 
Southeast missed a couple chances to take the lead with under a minute left. Kaley Leyhue was off on a three-point attempt but Southeast got the rebound. Tesia Thompson then missed a jumper with 15 seconds left, giving Morehead one last chance to take the lead.
 
Southeast played good swarming defense on Darianne Seward, and went to double team the ball with about two seconds on the clock. Seward dished the moment she was doubled to Eriel McKee on the wing. McKee knocked down a three-pointer at the buzzer, giving Morehead State a three point victory.
 
Tesia Thompson led the way for the Redhawks once again with 22 points and four rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench.
 
Adrianna Murphy chipped in 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists for Southeast as well.
 
Kennedi Allen returned to the lineup after missing the previous seven games with a concussion while Ashton Luttrull missed her second consecutive game due to injury.
 
Southeast will take on the Eastern Kentucky Colonels next on Saturday at the Show Me Center. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.