Game 13
Western Illinois (10-2, 2-1 OVC) vs. Southeast Missouri (5-7, 1-2 OVC) 
 
Game Information: 
Date: Saturday, January 3
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo. 
Venue: Show Me Center
Series: SEMO leads 10-9
 
Head Coaches: 
SEMO: Briley Palmer (88-72 overall; 11-32 at SEMO; Second Season)
WIU: J.D. Gravina (225-211; 15^th season)
 
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Tickets
 
Game Notes (PDF)
Media Guide (PDF)
 
Redhawks Welcome Western Illinois to Cape Girardeau Saturday
Southeast Missouri Women's Basketball (5-7, 1-2 OVC) will welcome in Ohio Valley Conference foe Western Illinois (10-2, 2-1 OVC) to Cape Girardeau on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 1:30 p.m., CT. at the Show Me Center. 
 
Series History
The Redhawks and Leathernecks will meet for the 20^th time all-time on the basketball court on Saturday. SEMO leads the all-time series by a 10-9 tally, including winning the most recent meeting in a thrilling 51-49 victory at the Show Me Center last February. The victory snapped a two-game losing skid for SEMO in the series, as the Redhawks have won four-of-the-last-six meetings between the two. 
 
Thursday Night
Southeast Missouri notched its first victory in OVC play on Thursday evening with a thrilling 70-68 victory over Eastern Illinois in Cape Girardeau. The Redhawks, who trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half, outscored EIU by a 21-7 mark in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Center Ainaya Williams hit a go-ahead layup, plus a foul, with just under 30-seconds remaining in the game as her free throw put SEMO up 70-68. EIU held for the final shot, but the SEMO defense held firm and won the contest. Gurad Carmen Taylor led the Redhawks in scoring with 18 points on 50-percent shooting (7-14), followed by Williams (13 points), and Da'Kariya Jackson with 12 points. 
 
Two-Game Winning Streak
SEMO carries a two-game winning streak into Saturday's matchup with Western Illinois. The Redhawks defeated William Woods (91-62) on Tuesday before defeating Eastern Illinois on Thursday evening (70-68). Over those two games, SEMO has averaged 80.5 PPG and has held its opponents to 65 PPG. The two-game winning streak is the longest winning streak of the season. 
 
Fun Fact
Thursday's victory over Eastern Illinois snapped a three-game losing skid to the Panthers, marking the Redhawks' first victory over EIU since the 2022-23 season (62-57). The win also marked second year head coach Briley Palmer's first victory over EIU in her tenure. The Redhawks also picked up their second OVC victory starting a new year as they won their second league game in 2024-25 on January 2 at Tennessee State (75-68). 
 
Largest Comeback in Palmer Era
Southeast Missouri completed its largest comeback of the Briley Palmer era on Thursday evening, erasing a 17-point third quarter deficit after a three-point basket from EIU's Clara Glad made it 53-36 at the 5:42 mark in the period. SEMO would cut the EIU lead to 12 at the end of the third with a jumper from Carmen Taylor that made it 61-49. SEMO opened the fourth quarter on a 16-0 run, capped off by an Ainaya Williams jump shot that made it 65-61 SEMO before EIU would respond with free throws. 
 
Guards Rebounding
Graduate guard Raissa Nsabua hauled in a team-high seven rebounds Thursday night marking the third time this season she has led the Redhawks in rebounding in a game. She has hauled in 55 total rebounds this season which ranks fourth on the team. 
 
Dish It Out
Nsabua also leads the Redhawks in assists in 11 games played this season. After dishing out four more assists against EIU, Nsabua now has 44 total assists on the season for an average of 4.0 APG. She ranks fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference for assists, trailing Marie Sepp of Morehead State (5.2 APG). 
 
Three in Double Figures
The backcourt duo of Lexi McCully and Carmen Taylor continue to lead the Redhawks in scoring through 12 games this season. McCully leads the club with 160 points scored for an average of 13.3 PPG, followed by Taylor at 152 points scored and a 12.7 PPG average. Center Ainaya Williams follows closely behind having scored 148 points and a 12.3 PPG mark. 
 
Top 10
Center Ainaya Williams leads the Redhawks in free throw percentage and ranks ninth in the Ohio Valley Conference at the charity stripe. Over 62 total attempts, Williams has knocked down 48 free throws for an impressive 77.4-percent mark. She is the only Redhawk in the top 10 of qualifying players in the OVC. Sidni Middleton of UT Martin leads the league with a 96.6-percent mark. 
 
Bench Production
The Redhawks have gotten a great boost from their bench through 12 games played this season, including Thursday night as every player who played in the game scored, led by guard Da'Kariya Jackson with 12 points. SEMO ranks first in the OVC in bench points, averaging 23.9 PPG from the reserves, and rank 93^rd in the country in that category. 
 
Season High 12
Senior Da'Kariya Jackson has been a staple coming off the bench for the Redhawks this season. Jackson, who missed the first seven games of the season due to injury, has come off the bench in the last five games and scored in every game. She marked her season-high in points against EIU, dumping in 12 points in 19-minutes of action. She was an efficient 4-6 from the field, snagged two rebounds, and dished out a pair of assists in the contest. 
 
Nothing Comes Easy
The Redhawks rank tied for second in the OVC in blocked shots coming into Saturday's contest, led by center Ainaya Williams who has 22 on the season after recording a block against EIU on Thursday night. Through 12 games, SEMO has registered 46 total blocks for an average of 3.83 blocks per game. Williams ranks second in the league (1.8 BPG) and trails only Abbie Boutilier of EIU (2.1) in the same number of games. 

Defend the Show Me
Southeast Missouri improved its record to 4-1 inside the Show Me Center after Thursday's victory this season. SEMO has defeated Evansville (71-66), Harris-Stowe (116-34), William Woods (91-62), and Eastern Illinois (70-68) in Cape Girardeau this season. With four wins already, the Redhawks have tied their win total in Cape from the 2024-25 season (4-10).