About 100 area supporters show up to root for SEMO

~ About 100 local supporters were at the game.

DENVER, Colo. -- It was a long way from Cape Girardeau for supporters of the Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball team.

But about 100 strong -- not including the band and cheerleaders -- were at the Pepsi Center Saturday night to root on the Redhawks in the program's first NCAA Division I tournament appearance. The Redhawks ended up losing to Stanford 72-45.

"I wish it was closer, but we were pretty determined we were going to go wherever the team played," said Jamie Dodd of Cape Girardeau.

Dodd flew into Denver Saturday afternoon with friends Ron Bowers and Loi Ha.

"We're boosters, and we've been to all of the home games this year. We've got season tickets right next to each other," Dodd said.

Perhaps no group of Southeast supporters made its presence felt more than the pep band, which gave the Redhawks a rousing sendoff when they departed their hotel for the Pepsi Center.

"This is awesome," said band member Andrew Vernon. "We try to provide excitement to the fans, and then hopefully that excitement will carry over to the team."

Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman was one of several university administrators at the game.

"This is a great show of support for Southeast," Kaverman said. "For people to come out this far ... we were a little worried about them being able to participate, but a lot of fans are here. It's just a great experience for everybody associated with the university."