Cape Girardeau, Mo. – Southeast Missouri women's basketball defeated the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 69-55 on Saturday at the Show Me Center.
 
The Redhawks began the game strong on the defensive end, limiting the Colonels to just two points in the opening half of the first quarter. Adrianna Murphy had 8 points in the period.
 
SEMO led 18-12 at the end of one.
 
The Southeast offense really picked up in the second quarter, making over 60 percent of its field goals including two three pointers. The Colonels continued to struggle to take care of the ball with 11 turnovers in the period.
 
At halftime, Southeast led EKU 42-25.
 
The third period the Colonels showed some life on the offensive end, hitting over 50 percent of their shots. They did however still have seven turnovers in the period. Southeast continued their hot shooting from the first half, shooting over 60 percent for the second consecutive quarter.
 
The Redhawks led 59-41 at the end of the third quarter.
 
Eastern Kentucky came out aggressive in the fourth, and even cut the lead once at 18 to 12 with 7:09 remaining in the game. However, that was as close as the Colonels could come to a comeback, as Southeast went on to win by 14.
 
Southeast was able to capitalize on the 35 turnovers from Eastern Kentucky, scoring 34 points of their own off the Colonels mistakes.
 
For the game Southeast shot 52 percent from the field and 40 percent from the three-point line.
 
Tesia Thompson continued her strong play of late with a career-high tying 23 points to go along with four rebounds and a career-high six steals.
 
Adrianna Murphy added 17 points and a career-high tying seven steals.
 
Deja Jones chipped in 11 points, six rebounds, and five steals for the Southeast.
 
LaTrese Saine put in 10 points, two blocks and four rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench.
 
Jessie Harshberger has hit a three-pointer in back to back games after making zero her previous 34 games as a Redhawk.
 
Southeast now sits at 8-10, 3-3 in conference play.
The Redhawks will next battle the SIUE Cougars next Wednesday in Edwardsville, Ill. Tip-off for that game is set for 7 p.m.