MURRAY, Ky. – Southeast Missouri (9-4, 1-1 OVC) fell, 70-62, to Murray State (8-5, 1-1 OVC) Saturday at the CFSB Center.
 
The Redhawks started slow and the Racers used a 10-0 run in the opening minutes to take an early double-digit lead. A jumper by LaTrese Saine ended the a four-minute SEMO scoring drought.
 
SEMO, however, trailed the Racers just 16-14 at the end of the first quarter after shooting 26.3 percent in the opening 10 minutes.
 
The Redhawks regrouped to outscore MSU 17-10 in the second quarter and took a 31-26 at the intermission. Jessie Harshberger scored eight points in the second quarter and finished with 12 in the first half.
 
SEMO and MSU exchanged leads four times in the third quarter with neither team leading by more than five points.

The Racers then took control down the stretch and pulled ahead, 70-62, on four free throws by Macey Turley.
 
Turley and Sadie Hill both scored 19 points to lead  the Racers. Hill drained a team-high four 3-pointers. 
 
Thompson led the Redhawks with 21 points and eight rebounds. Denisha Gardener tied a career-high eight rebounds and added a block against the Racers. 
 
Harshberger contributed 18 points and a team-high three steals. 

SEMO returns to Cape Girardeau to open a four-game home stand beginning Jan. 9 against Belmont.