Cape Girardeau, Mo. – Southeast Missouri women's basketball defeated the Eastern Illinois Panthers 51-48 thanks to Ashton Luttrull's three-pointer at the buzzer.
 
The game was close from start to finish, with Eastern Illinois showing some signs of pulling away but never getting a lead larger than nine.
 
Southeast struggled from the field from the first quarter, including going 1-7 from three-point land. However, the Redhawks stayed right with the Panthers, forcing seven turnovers in the opening period.
 
After one, the game was tied, 15-15.
 
Southeast remained cold in the second quarter, with their shooting staying below 40 percent. EIU was able to control the ball much better in the second, with only two turnovers all period.
 
The Panthers made as twice as many field goals as the Redhawks in the quarter thanks to their four offensive rebounds and were able to gain a slight advantage before the break.
 
At halftime, Eastern Illinois led, 28-22.
 
The Panthers opened up the third quarter hitting multiple buckets and extending their lead at one point to nine. Southeast then answered that run with an 11-0 run of its own, holding Eastern Illinois without a point for over six minutes.
 
The Panthers broke their drought in the final minute, and took a 37-35 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
The entire fourth quarter was back and forth, which each time gaining and losing multiple times throughout the period.
 
A pair of free throws from Ashton Luttrull gave the Redhawks the lead at 47-46 with 1:44 remaining. A few turnovers and missed shots led to Eastern Illinois taking the lead 48-47 off a Carmen Tellez lay up with 31 seconds left.
 
Deja Jones was fouled with 23 seconds left and split the pair, tying the game at 48.
 
Karle Pace came down and missed a running jump shot, and Deja Jones pulled down the rebound with 0.6 seconds remaining.
 
Southeast was able to advance the ball from the time out to right in front of their bench. The Redhawks ran a play with a lot of movement, including a lob decoy that the Panthers bit on just enough to give Ashton Luttrull a little room.
 
Luttrull ran directly to the ball from around the free throw line and had the space to catch the pass from Kaley Leyhue, turn, and get the shot off all in one motion in time to win the game by three.
 
Luttrull ended the game with 12 points and six rebounds.
 
Tesia Thompson added 13 points and six rebounds.
 
Southeast now sits at 12-15, 7-8 in OVC play. They next battle the SIUE Cougars this Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at the Show Me Center.