CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Tesia Thompson scored 24 points and Southeast Missouri (22-6, 14-3) claimed one of the top three seeds in next week's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament with a 72-56 win over Eastern Illinois (17-11, 11-6) Thursday.
 
SEMO put the finishing touches on a 12-1 record at the Show Me Center this season.
 
The Redhawks set the tone by going on a 13-0 run in the opening quarter to take a 24-11 lead and EIU didn't recover.
 
SEMO pushed its lead to 17 with 8:33 remaining in the first half before EIU used an 11-0 run to pull within six (32-26) at the half.
 
The Redhawks won the second half, 40-30, to polish off their 22^ndwin of the year.
 
Thompson scored 20 or more points for the seventh consecutive game and posted her 24^thdouble-digit scoring game.
 
Along with Thompson, Carrie Shephard (17) and Jessie Harshberger (13) also recorded double figures in the scoring column. 
 
The Redhawks outrebounded the Panthers, 41-23. 
 
Karle Pace led the Panthers with 16 points and three assists. 
 
SEMO recognized its five seniors on this year's squad, including Shephard, Harshberger, Denisha Gardener, Jocelyn Taylor and Iyanna McCurdy. 
 
The Redhawks travel to OVC co-leader UT Martin in their final game of the regular season Saturday.