Game 28
Southeast Missouri (5-22, 3-15 OVC) at SIUE (5-22, 3-15 OVC)
 
Game Information: 
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Edwardsville, Illinois
Venue: First Community Arena
Series: SEMO leads 33-22
 
Head Coaches: 
SEMO: Briley Palmer (5-22, 3-15 OVC)
SIUE: Samantha Quigley Smith (37-78, 25-52 OVC | Fourth Season)
 
Follow the Redhawks
X: @OfficialSEMOWBB
Live Stats: siuecougars.com
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: SEMO ESPN 93.5 FM or 1220 AM (Erik Sean)
 
Game Notes (PDF)
Media Guide (PDF) 
 
Redhawks Wrap-Up Regular Season with Two-Game Road Swing
Southeast Missouri Women's Basketball (5-22, 3-15 OVC) return to the road for the final two games of the regular season beginning with a trip to SIUE (5-22, 3-15 OVC) on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m., CT. from First Community Arena in Edwardsville, Ill. 
 
Series History
The Redhawks and Cougars will meet for the 56^th time on the hardwood Thursday night and for the second time in 2024-25. SEMO leads the overall series by a record of 33-22 including a victory earlier this season in Cape Girardeau. The Redhawks downed the Cougars before the new year by a final score of 67-61 (Dec. 21). 
 
Last Time Out 
Southeast Missouri most recently hosted Lindenwood at the Show Me Center on senior day resulting in a 70-47 loss. Zoe Best and Lexi McCully, one of three seniors honored, led the team with 13 points apiece. Best went 5-10 from the field and 2-5 from behind the arc in the contest. McCully made five of her 14 shots while going 3-9 from three-point land. The pair came down with five and four total rebounds. As a team SEMO shot 18-53 (34%) from the floor, 5-19 (26.3%) from deep, and 6-11 (54.5%) from the line during senior day.
 
The Offense
After 27 games, the Redhawk offense is averaging 61.5 points-per-game and have registered 1660 points on the season. Zoe Best leads the Redhawks in scoring averaging 13.6 PPG and has scored 366 points this season, nearly 100 more than the next closest scorer. 
 
Efficiency
Center Ainaya Williams has the highest field goal percentage on the team in just 24 games, three less than the season total. Williams is 88-178 on the season and is shooting nearly 50-percent from the field (49.4%). She also leads the team in free throw attempts, averaging 2.8 attempts-per-game. 
 
At the Line
Senior guard Lexi McCully has the highest free throw percentage on the Redhawks this season with an 85-percent mark at the foul line. On the season, McCully is 34-40 at the charity stripe which ranks her third in the OVC for free throw percentage. 
 
Grab a Board
Ainaya Williams leads the Redhawks in rebounding this season hauling in a total of 200 rebounds. She has 50 offensive rebounds (2.1 RPG) and 75 defensive rebounds (3.1 RPG) and ranks 16^th in the OVC averaging 5.2 rebounds a game. 
 
Best Defense
Zoe Best leads the Redhawks in steals on the defensive end of the floor. Having totaled 34 on the season. Best is averaging 1.3 steals-per-game which ranks her 25^th in the Ohio Valley Conference. 
 
Two in a Row
Forward Briah Hampton has been inserted into the starting lineup for two-straight games after previously coming off the bench for the majority of OVC play. Hampton has averaged 5.0 PPG over the two starts and has averaged 3.5 RPG including a five-rebound performance against Lindenwood. 
 
The Veteran
Graduate student Sophie Bussard has started three-straight games for the Redhawks after missing significant time due to injury. The Silver Lake, Indiana-native has averaged 30.0 minutes-per-game over the last three and has scored 3.0 PPG in those outings. In just 13 games played, Bussard is averaging 4.7 PPG and has hauled in four rebounds in back-to-back games. 
 
Scouting the Opponent
Cougars
SIUE comes into the final week of the regular season with an identical record to the Redhawks with a 5-22 overall record and a 5-13 OVC mark. Offensively, the Cougars are averaging 62.1 PPG while allowing 73.6 PPG to their opponents. 
 
KK Rodriguez is the only Cougar in double figures averaging 13.1 PPG to lead the SIUE offense. Rodriguez has scored 276 points this season in just 21 games. Macy Silvey is the next closest Cougar in scoring averaging 9.5 PPG. 
 
Brianna Wooldridge leads the Cougars in rebounding having hauled in 136 boards on the campaign. She is averaging 4.6 RPG over 27 games. Jaiden Bryant follows behind with a 4.2 RPG average