Freshmen shine in Redhawks WBB home opener

The SEMO women’s basketball team defeated NAIA opponent Stephens College 82-60 on Saturday at the Show Me Center. The Redhawks had four players score in double-figures, including freshman Indiya Bowen who scored a game-high 19 points. Bowen said playing in front of the SEMO crowd for the first time was a good feeling.

“I'm not gonna say it was scary, but it gave me an at ease feeling really to know there are people out here who are supportive of us,” Bowen said. “Everybody was cheering and the crowd really helped us get through the bad and good of the game.”

Bowen shot 50% from the field and behind the arc while going a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line. SEMO outscored the Stars every quarter while holding Stephens to under 40% shooting. Head coach Rekha Patterson said she was happy with the way the team bounced back after a loss at SIU.

“I think it was great to see this team have some success, we took a punch and figured out how to get back on our feet and finished strong,” Patterson said. “I think we had some great performances by our freshmen, they really kind of stepped up.”

Along with Bowen’s big game, fellow freshman Amiyah Buchanan had a good day herself with 17 points off 85.7% shooting, many of her points coming in the fourth quarter to extend SEMO’s big lead. Buchanan said the help of her teammates was the catalyst for her being able to perform so well in her first game in front of the home crowd.

“It was scary as a freshman, but I feel like with the help of my teammates calming me down a little bit after my first couple of minutes, it really helped me,” Buchanan said. “It was all really the help of my teammates, they showed me the open spots, they told me where I needed to be on the floor and I actually listened.”

Established players Alecia Doyle and Jaliyah Green had good days on the court as well, scoring 17 and 15, respectively. Patterson said Stephens focused their defense on Green and Doyle which allowed the freshmen to show what they bring to the team.

“I think the freshmen are able to do what they do because the focus is on Jaliyah and Alicia, and those freshmen are talented, so they get to be talented without being the focal point,” Patterson said.

The Redhawks will be on the road for three games before returning to the Show Me Center on Nov. 28 when they take on Harris-Stowe State University at 11 a.m.