CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Sophie Bussard scored a game-high 14 points to lead Southeast Missouri (6-10, 1-4) to a dominating 68-45 win over Lindenwood (1-15, 1-5) Thursday night in the first meeting between the teams.
 
SEMO stormed out to a 17-0 lead in the first seven minutes of the game and never turned back en route to snapping a four-game losing streak and picking up its first Ohio Valley Conference victory. 
 
Bussard scored seven points and Kori Tomlin added five during the early surge that ended on Bussard's layup with 3:07 left to play in the first quarter.
 
The Redhawks kept LU off the scoreboard for the first 8:26 before Devin Fuhring made two free throws for the Lions' first points at the 1:34 mark.
 
SEMO held a comfortable 21-4 advantage after the first 10 minutes of play.
 
The Redhawks continued to pour it on the first half and shot 60 percent (9-of-15) in the second quarter to build a 20-point (41-21) halftime lead. 
 
SEMO got a nice lift from its bench which contributed 16 points, including six by Chandler Davis and five by Kiyley Flowers before the intermission.
 
The Redhawks heated up to shoot 51.5 percent (17-of-33) in the first half.
 
Things didn't get any better for LU in the final two quarters, as their deficit fell below 20 points only once the rest of the way.
 
Bussard's two free throws gave SEMO its largest lead at 50-21 with 6:51 to go in the third quarter. After that, the Redhawks were ahead by 28 toward the end of that period before putting their win on ice.
 
Bussard missed just three shots going 4-of-7 from the field. She was a perfect 5-of-5 at the free throw line and earned her fourth double-digit scoring effort of the season.
 
Kennedi Watkins followed close behind with 13 points, while Halle Smith matched Bussard with six rebounds.
 
For the game, SEMO shot 45.6 percent (26-of-57), its best field goal percentage against a Division I opponent this year. The Redhawks 14 turnovers are a season-low against Division I foes.
 
The Redhawks outrebounded LU, 34-30, and received a big 35-14 lift from their reserves.
 
Mary McGrath and Emily Benzschawel led the Lions with nine points each.
 
LU suffered its seventh-straight loss and is 0-8 on the road this season.
 
SEMO returns to action when it heads to Morehead State Saturday.