COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Southeast Missouri women's basketball (3-4, 1-1 OVC) utilized a balance attack to overcome Tennessee Tech (3-2, 1-1 OVC), 79-70, and capture SEMO's first Ohio Valley Conference win of the 2020-21 season Wednesday evening at the Eblen Center.
 
Four Redhawks finished in double-figures led by Tesia Thompson's first double-double of the campaign. Thompson, a senior guard from Memphis, Tennessee, finished the outing with 21 points to complement a career-best tying 16 boards for her 19th career double-double. She was 8-for-11 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe.
 
Sophie Bussard added a personal-high 15 points with six rebounds. Roshala Scott matched a career-high 13 points with five assists and Taelour Pruitt chipped in 11 points with two assists and two steals.
 
The Redhawks shot a season-best 55.2 percent (32-58) including 8-for-12 in both the first and fourth quarters. SEMO was also 50 percent (6-12) on the three-ball.
 
Tied at 37-37 at halftime, SEMO outscored the Golden Eagles, 19-12, in the third quarter to pull ahead after a highly contested opening 20 minutes of play. 
 
The Redhawks connected at 44.4 percent in the third frame and were 50 percent from behind the arc. 
 
SEMO registered a 10-0 scoring run to take a 50-44 advantage after a Scott lay-up at the 3:45 mark. Pruitt hit consecutive treys during the stretch and paced the Redhawks in the pivotal quarter with nine points on a 3-for-5 field goal clip.   
 
A three-point play from Thompson would then grow the Redhawks edge to 63-54 with 7:19 remaining in regulation.
 
SEMO widened the margin to 13, its largest lead of the night, with 3:33 left to play. Bussard knocked down a 3-pointer and Thompson split a pair of free throws to extend the advantage to 73-60. 
 
The Golden Eagles responded with a 6-0 run to pull within seven, 73-66, with just over two minutes left in regulation.
 
Thompson and Pruitt then each sunk both of their free throw attempts to keep TTU at bay.
 
SEMO jumped out to a 10-2 lead to start the contest. Thompson was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field with nine points in the opening quarter.
 
After a media timeout, Tennessee Tech went on an 8-0 run to even the game at 10-10. A jumper by Jordan Brock cut the SEMO edge to 19-17 to end the quarter.
 
In the second quarter, the Golden Eagles pulled ahead 33-26, after five consecutive points by Kesha Brady, with 5:39 left in the half. 
 
Bussard swished a three to knot the contest at 33-33 and Thompson retied the game at 37-37 with a lay-up at 1:06.  
 
SEMO outrebounded Tennessee Tech, 43-26, courtesy of a season-best 32 defensive boards.
 
LaTrese Saine registered five blocks to go along with six points and four rebounds. 
 
Five Golden Eagles finished in double-figures. Brock led TTU with 15 points and five assists. Anna Jones and Mackenzie Coleman each pitched in 13. Maaliya Owens added 11 and Brady finished with 10. 
 
The Redhawks continue their OVC slate Saturday when they welcome Tennessee State to the Show Me Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m., CT.