NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Deanay Watson notched a career-best 14 points as Southeast Missouri women's basketball (1-1) fell to Stephen F. Austin (3-0), 83-59, Monday evening at the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
 
Watson, a senior from Bradenton, Florida, was a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the field and 6-for-6 at the charity stripe. She also added four rebounds in a team-high 25 minutes.
 
Taelour Pruitt, a Crowley, Texas, native, and Shymaryia Christopher each added 11 points and four rebounds while Roshala Scott finished with nine points.
 
SEMO took its only lead in the game, 5-4, after a trey by Pruitt at 8:34 in the first quarter. Pruitt was 3-for-9 from three-point land Monday in her return to her home state.
 
The Ladyjacks then went on an 8-0 run to pull ahead 12-5.
 
Brianna Mitchell swished a 3-ptr to provide SFA a 10-point advantage (22-12) with just over two minutes remaining in the opening period.
 
Stephen F. Austin, a 2021 NCAA Championship Tournament Qualifier, then commenced the second quarter on an 8-2 run (32-18).
 
The Ladyjacks outscored the Redhawks 17-9 in the frame and returned from halftime with a 28-16 third quarter.
 
Pruitt converted a lay-up before a Johné Stewart 3-ptr to cut the deficit to 35-25 at 3:10 in the second quarter.
 
SFA then closed the second quarter with six unanswered points to take a 41-25 advantage at halftime.
 
Avery Brittingham's bucket at 8:26 in the third quarter widened the gap to 47-27.
 
The Ladyjacks then extended its margin to 65-34 after a 10-0 rally at 2:24.
 
Pruitt hit a 3-ptr as the third quarter expired to make the score 69-41.
 
SEMO then turned in its best quarter of the game in the fourth, outscoring SFA, 18-14. The Redhawks shot 50 percent from the field during the quarter.
 
Scott had seven of her nine total points in the quarter, connecting 3-for-4 from the field during the final 10 minutes. Christopher chipped in five points.
 
SEMO went on a 6-0 run down the stretch to make the SFA advantage 80-58. Scott opened the sequence with a jumper before completing a three-point play.
 
The Redhawks shot 30 percent from the field Monday while the Ladyjacks had a clip of 46 percent.
 
SEMO struggled on the three-ball, shooting 26 percent from distance. The Redhawks knocked down at a rate of 67 percent from behind the arc in the third quarter.
 
SEMO was perfect at the charity stripe for the first three quarters and finished 12-for-20 on free throws. SFA was 77 percent at the line.

The Ladyjacks converted 46 points in the paint compared to SEMO's 28.  
 
Michaela Mayfield grabbed a career best six rebounds.
 
Stewart dished out three assists.
 
Stephanie Visscher led five Ladyjacks in double-figures scoring, posting 20 points and 11 rebounds. Visscher was 8-for-12 on field goals and 3-for-5 from distance.
 
The Redhawks conclude their non-conference excursion in the Lone Star State Wednesday against #12 Texas. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. in the morning showdown at the Frank C. Erwin, Jr., Special Events Center in Austin, Texas.