CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Tesia Thompson scored a game-high 21 points as Southeast Missouri  (0-1) put together a strong showing in a 74-53 loss to #5 Louisville (1-0) Wednesday afternoon at the Show Me Center.

For the first time in program history, SEMO hosted a top-five opponent in Cape Girardeau and the Redhawks did not disappoint when they took the stage for the first time in this ever-changing COVID-19 environment.

"Overall, I am extremely proud of what we did today," said sixth-year SEMO Head Coach Rekha Patterson. "I told the team I was proud of them because three years ago we got beat by 40 points so I think this shows growth in our program. It shows that we are a competitive bunch that wants to play the SEMO way. I was also proud that they had the courage to get out here and compete."

Thompson knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Redhawks an 18-16 edge with 1:18 left in the first quarter and that would be the final time SEMO would be ahead of the Cardinals the rest of the way.

UofL answered by outscoring SEMO, 20-8, in the second quarter to widen its lead to 38-24 at the half.

In the third quarter, Thompson accounted for 13 of the Redhawks 18 points and managed to cut the Cardinals lead to six (45-39) on her jumper in the paint with 4:12 remaining. That came after she began the period with nine-straight points.

After that UofL went on an 11-2 run to take a 56-41 advantage at the end of three quarters of play.

SEMO then missed 11 of its final 12 field goals of the game and the Cardinals pulled away for good.

Thompson shot 6-of-16 from the field, drained a pair of 3-pointers and hit 7-of-10 free throws to go along with eight rebounds in 31 minutes. She nearly outscored SEMO's other four starters which combined for 22 points.

Taelour Pruitt and LaTrese Saine followed with seven points each. Saine contributed a game-high 10 rebounds, as well

SEMO shot 81.8 percent (18-of-22) at the free throw line for the game.

The Preseason Atlantic Coast Conference favorite Cardinals were led by Olivia Cochran's near double-double 17 points and eight boards. Preseason ACC Player of the Year Dana Evans and Hailey Van Lith followed with 15 and 13 points, respectively.
 
UofL didn't shoot well from 3-point range (2-of-17), but shot 40.6 percent (26-of-64) from the field and outrebounded SEMO, 50-36. Additionally, the Cardinals gathered 10 blocks.

SEMO returns to action when it hosts University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy Dec. 1. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m., CT.