Murray, Ky. – Southeast Missouri women's basketball defeated the Murray State Racers 85-74 on Thursday evening.
 
Both teams came out in the opening period shooting the ball very well, each shooting exactly 50 percent from the field. Deja Jones had a quick five points in the quarter for the Redhawks.
 
At end of the first period, SEMO trailed 17-15.
 
The hot offense for both squads looked even stronger in the second, with each team scoring over 20 points in the quarter. A two minute scoring drought by Southeast let Murray extend their lead to nine late in the quarter, but SEMO answered the run in the final two minutes and cut the lead to three at halftime.
 
After two, the Redhawks trailed the Racers 39-36.
 
Southeast started the third quarter on a 4-0 run to take the quick lead. Both teams then traded buckets back and forth until around three minutes left in the third quarter.
 
Late in the period, Southeast caught fire on offense. SEMO pulled ahead after an 8-0 run, highlighted by four straight buckets from Ashton Luttrull. Luttrull had 14 points in the quarter.
 
Southeast led 67-53 at the end of the third period.
 
The offensive rhythm continued for the Redhawks in the fourth quarter, their lead stretching to 20 at one point early in the period.
 
Murray State went on a run late in the quarter, even cutting the lead to just 6 points with two minutes remaining. However, the Redhawks lead proved to be too much as they went to win by 11.
 
Luttrull ended the game with 23 points, tying a career high. 16 of those points came in the second half.
 
LaTrese Saine had a perfect game on the offensive end; shooting 6-6 from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line.
 
Tesia Thompson's strong play continued as she chipped in 13 points off the bench for Southeast.
 
Southeast will next travel to Clarksville, Tenn. to battle the Austin Peay Govenors. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. at the Winfield Dunn Center.