CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Southeast Missouri Women's Basketball (1-1, 0-0 OVC) rallied in the fourth quarter to secure a 71-66 victory over Evansville (0-1, 0-0 MVC) at the Show Me Center on Thursday afternoon for the first victory of the 2025-26 season. The Redhawks capitalized on 18 points from turnovers to clinch the win.

First Quarter
- Lexi McCully contributed with two layups early, helping the Redhawks to a 7-3 lead.
- The Aces responded with a 3-pointer from Logan Luebbers Palmer, leveling the score at 9.
- Avery Kelley hit a fast-break 3-pointer, part of Evansville's offensive surge, pushing their lead to 19-12.
- Kearra Jones connected on a 3-pointer for the Redhawks, narrowing the gap to 19-15 before Evansville finished the quarter ahead, 21-17.

Second Quarter
- The Aces' Georgia Cox delivered an early layup, then followed with a three-pointer to give the visitors a 26-22 edge.
- The Redhawks' Ainaya Williams responded with a jumper, assisted by McCully, momentarily putting the home team ahead.
- The Aces capitalized on fast breaks, with Elle Snyder converting a layup to increase the lead to 30-22.
- Charmen Taylor of the Redhawks scored a fast break layup, narrowing the gap to 30-24.

Third Quarter
- Williams opened scoring with a layup, assisted by McCully, as the home team gained early momentum.
- Evansville briefly regained their footing with Camryn Runner scoring a pair of free throws, pulling the score level at 36.
- Taylor sank two free throws, regaining a slim lead with just over five minutes left in the quarter.
- Cox closed the quarter with a buzzer-beater jumper, narrowing the Redhawks' lead to 46-42.

Fourth Quarter
- The Redhawks opened the quarter with Williams converting an offensive rebound into a layup, tying the game at 46.
- A fast break layup by Jones gave the Redhawks a 50-46 lead, prompting an Evansville timeout.
- McCully's layup at 2:52 extended the Redhawks' lead to 64-53.
- Taylor sealed the victory, scoring a layup with 38 seconds remaining to push the lead to 70-61.

SEMO Top Performers
Charmen Taylor  
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- 16 points  
- 2 steals  
- 4/4 free throws made  

Kearra Jones  
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- 14 points  
- 2 blocks  
- 6 rebounds  

Lexi McCully  
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- 16 points  
- 7/12 field goals made  
- 4 assists  

Ainaya Williams  
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- 14 points  
- 2 blocks  
- 2 steals  

Looking ahead, the Redhawks will host Missouri State on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The game is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.