Redhawk women open with lone exhibition today

Today the 2012-13 Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team will have its only chance to test itself against outside competition before the season begins.

Southeast hosts Southern Indiana in it's only exhibition contest of the season at 2 p.m. at the Show Me Center.

Southeast elected to face a fellow Division I squad in a closed scrimmage instead of a second exhibition against a non-Division I opponent. The Redhawks squared off with Evansville last week.

Second-year coach Ty Margenthaler, whose team opens the regular season Friday at home against Wright State, has been encouraged by his squad so far even though injuries have been a problem.

"They're working hard. We're making progress," Margenthaler said. "I like our recruiting class. They'll be able to contribute. And our returning players have improved."

Southern Indiana, a Division II program from Evansville, Ind., went 9-17 overall and 3-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference last season.

The Eagles return four starters, including their top two scorers in 5-foot-6 junior guard Stephanie Carpenter and 6-1 sophomore forward/center Anna Hackert. They averaged 10.9 and 10.3 points per game, respectively, a year ago.

Brooke Valentine, a 5-11 sophomore forward, led the Eagles with 6.5 rebounds per contest. Hackert was second with six rebounds per game.

Hackert had 12 points and 10 rebounds Saturday as the Eagles opened their exhibition schedule with a 65-47 loss to Evansville.

"I'm excited about the game," Margenthaler said. "Southern Indiana has a great women's basketball tradition. They've traditionally been one of the top Division II teams in the nation.

"They were down last year but they were really young. They've added several Division I transfers. I look for them to be back up. It's going to be a great test for us."

The Redhawks also played just one exhibition during Margenthaler's first season last year. That went well as Southeast routed NAIA Harris-Stowe 93-46.

Margenthaler said he likes playing one exhibition and having one scrimmage against a Division I opponent.

"I think it's a good mix," he said. "I think it helps us."