MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois (6-5) shot 54.8 percent from long range and buried 17 three-pointers in a 97-91 victory over Southeast Missouri (6-3) Tuesday.

WIU made five of its first seven 3-pointers of the game and added nine more in the second half, and that was the difference.

Tesia Thompson scored 26 points to lead SEMO as one of three players with 26 or more points between the two teams. WIU's Olivia Kaufmann dropped in a game-high 30 points, while Annabel Graettinger contributed 26.

The Leathernecks held a 45-39 advantage at halftime before the Redhawks used a 28-point third quarter to close the gap. Carrie Shephard's 3-pointer made it a one-point game (68-67) with 30 seconds left in the third quarter, the only period SEMO won.

The Redhawks cut WIU's lead to a point three more times, but the Leathernecks put together a 9-0 run to pull away. Sam Pryor's 3-pointer capped the surge that gave WIU a 85-75 advantage with 4:43 to go.

SEMO closed WIU's margin to five twice down the stretch, but that was as close as it would get.

The Redhawks outscored WIU, 54-20, inside the paint reaching a season-high in that category. SEMO scored 28 points of 15 Leatherneck turnovers, as well.
 
Thompson matched her season-best 26 points to lead five Redhawks in double figures. She shot 11-of-19 from the field and pulled down five rebounds. Thompson also dished out four assists and had a pair of steals.
 
Shephard followed with 16 points and made three 3-pointers to bring her career total to 105 made. She tied a career-high six assists and added four steals. 
 
Others who scored in double figures for the Redhawks included Jessie Harshberger (15 points), Jocelyn Taylor (12) and Roshala Scott (10).

As a team, the Redhawks shot 48.7 percent (38-of-78) from the floor, including a 56.5 percent clip in the third quarter. 
 
SEMO visits Indiana State for its final game before the Christmas holiday on Dec. 21.