CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southern Illinois (1-2) shot 60 percent from the field with four Salukis finishing in double-figures scoring to overcome Southeast Missouri (2-5), 78-61, Tuesday evening at the Show Me Center.
 
Makenzie Silvey led SIU with 21 points followed by Gabby Walker's 19. Abby Brockmeyer added 14 and Quierra Love finished with 10 to propel the Salukis past the Redhawks.
 
Roshala Scott paced SEMO with 16 points, shooting 7-for-15, with four rebounds and three assists. Jaliyah Green chipped in a career best 15 points with two boards.
 
Green, a freshman from Wentzville, Missouri, shot 7-for-14 in 31 minutes of court time.
 
Southern Illinois jumped out to a 46-27 lead at halftime behind 15 points from Walker and 10 points by Silvey.
 
The Salukis shot a red hot 66 percent from the field and 3-for-7 from beyond the arc in the opening half. SIU was 13-for-19 in the first quarter. SEMO in comparison converted at a 43 percent clip and finished the game 27-for-61 (44.3 percent).
 
SIU outrebounded the Redhawks 19-9 in the first half. The Salukis cycled the ball with ease and registered 15 assists through 20 minutes. 
 
Scott led the Redhawks at the break with 12 points, shooting 6-for-8.
 
Walker laid-in a basket to pull SIU ahead 15-12 with 3:10 left in the first quarter.
 
The Salukis closed the opening period on a 10-4 run for a 27-16 edge.
 
Adrianna Katcher knocked down a jumper to increase the SIU advantage to 44-25 and the Salukis went to the break up 46-27.
 
The Salukis then took their largest lead of the evening, 54-28, with 6:41 left in the third quarter.
 
The Redhawks held a slight edge in scoring in the second half, 34-32. SIU shot a stellar 89 percent in the fourth frame.
 
SEMO shot its best quarter in the fourth, registering a 54 percent mark.
 
SEMO came as close as 64-50 after a bucket by Taelour Pruitt with 6:22 left in regulation.
 
Pruitt added nine points, converting 4-for-12 from the field.
 
Halle Smith then split a pair of free throws to cut the Salukis lead to 67-53 at the 4:58 mark in the final quarter.
 
Smith posted eight points Tuesday, going 3-for-5 on field goals with four rebounds.
 
Kennedi Watkins led the Redhawks with five rebounds.
 
Diona Reed played in her third career game at SEMO, notching a career best six points with two rebounds and a block in 12 minutes.
 
SEMO will next host Saint Louis Friday and Harris-Stowe Sunday to complete the week of three home games. Tip is 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, respectively, at the Show Me Center.
 
The Redhawks conclude their four game homestand Thursday, Dec. 9 against Purdue Fort Wayne at 6:30 p.m.