Murray State holds on to edge Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team

The first two Ohio Valley Conference games for the Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team have followed a similar pattern.

Southeast trails most of the way, including by double figures early in the second half, before making a spirited comeback that falls just short.

The latest version took place Saturday afternoon at the Show Me Center when Murray State held on for an 80-75 victory.

Southeast fell to 3-12 overall, while the Racers improved to 4-8 by winning their conference opener.

"We just have to learn how to finish games," Southeast junior forward Brittany Harriel said.

Southeast Missouri State's Patricia Mack grabs a rebound away from Murray State's Beth Mahurin during the first half Saturday.

Southeast scored a season-high point total -- including 50 points in the second half -- thanks largely to career performances from Harriel and senior guard Karley Evans.

The Redhawks trailed by just two points with less than 30 seconds left but could not overtake the Racers.

"We're definitely getting better," Evans said. "We're right in the games. We just have to do the little things when it comes down to the end of the games."

Harriel and Evans did all they could.

Harriel poured in a career-high 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for her second double-double in three games. Harriel, who scored 19 points in the second half, hit 11 of 18 field goals and added three steals.

Southeast Missouri State's Bailie Roberts shoots against Murray State's Ashleigh McBean during the first half Saturday at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

"We want to get her the ball. She's our best offensive player," Southeast coach Ty Margenthaler said.

Evans scored a career-high 19 points, including 15 on a career-high five 3-pointers. She also had four assists.

Evans hit 5 of 11 from beyond the arc, but she lamented the outcome of her final attempt, an air ball with 35 seconds left and Southeast behind 74-71.

"It was open," Evans said. "The girls did a good job of screening. I just didn't hit it."

Harriel's follow shot with 22 seconds left brought Southeast within 75-73, but the Racers hit 5 of 6 free throws in the final 21 seconds to ice the win.

Southeast Missouri State's Allyson Bradshaw drives against Murray State's Allison Karst during the second half Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

"It was another hard-fought game by both teams," Margenthaler said. "We had opportunities. Again we couldn't get over that little hump."

MSU led 32-25 at halftime, and the Racers scored the first four points of the second half to open their biggest advantage at 36-25.

Southeast rallied, as it did after falling behind by 13 points early in the final period of Wednesday's 61-57 home loss to Morehead State.

Southeast got within two points six times, but the Racers always had an answer.

"They scored on nine of their last 10 possessions," Margenthaler said. "Their guard corps made plays when they needed it."

Ultra-quick sophomore Erica Burgess and junior Tessa Elkins scored career highs of 23 and 17 points, respectively, to lead the Racers.

Burgess, the Racers' top scorer at more than 15 points per game, scored 21 points in the second half after playing just six minutes in the first half due to foul trouble.

"She's a special player," Margenthaler said.

Junior forward Bailie Roberts added 14 points for Southeast, while freshman guard Allyson Bradshaw scored all 11 of her points off the bench in the second half to aid the comeback.

Bradshaw, a Notre Dame Regional High School graduate, posted her third double-figure scoring performance of the season.

"This is going to help her confidence," Margenthaler said.

Senior point guard Bianca Beck dished out a career-high nine assists, and sophomore forward Patricia Mack grabbed 11 rebounds for her second straight double-figure outing on the boards.

"We've got a disappointed group of young ladies, but we're right there. We're growing," Margenthaler said. "This is building our character. We just have to stay strong, stay positive."

The Redhawks might have been able to pull off the comeback if they had shot better from the free-throw line for the second straight game.

Southeast made 15 of 25 (60 percent) after hitting 19 of 30 (63.3 percent) against Morehead State.

"We just didn't shoot the ball well from the free-throw line again," said Margenthaler, whose squad entered play making 68.9 percent of its foul shots.

The Racers, who came to the Show Me Center shooting a dismal 58.5 percent from the stripe, hit 24 of 31 (77.4 percent).

"I was glad to see that," MSU coach Rob Cross said.

The Redhawks, who never led against Morehead State, went ahead of the Racers 12-4 early thanks to a pair of 3-pointers by Evans.

MSU answered with an 11-0 run to go up 15-12. The Racers broke a 15-15 tie on a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Allison Karst with 8:35 left and never relinquished the lead.

"We're excited to get a road win," Cross said.

Southeast plays the last of three consecutive home games to start its OVC schedule Monday when Jacksonville State (3-12, 0-2) visits for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.