Redhawks clinch tournament bid with win over Southern Indiana

The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks clinched a spot in the 2023 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament with a 63-59 win over the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles on Saturday at the Show Me Center.

The Redhawks got things going early as they turned defense into offense, jumping out to a 20-11 lead after the first quarter, and ending the quarter on a 13-0 run.

Redhawks coach Rekha Patterson credited the on-ball defense for sparking the run.

“It started with Rahmena Henderson,” Patterson said. “She was all over the place and our other players were making plays on the ball as well. We made a little adjustment with our 1-3-1 where we were going to look to trap in the corners and I thought that caused them some problems.”

The Redhawks would continue the relentless defensive effort as they allowed just 4 points in the second quarter and took a 33-15 lead into the locker room at halftime.

As SEMO got set for the second half Patterson reminded her team that the Screaming Eagles would make a run.

“We always tell them it’s going to be a game of runs,” Patterson said. “Everybody is competitive in this league and everybody is fighting for something, so possessions matter. I try to tell them that so they don’t get too high or too low.”

It indeed was a game of runs as the Screaming Eagles won the third quarter 23-13 to cut the Redhawks' lead to 46-38 heading into the final frame.

Southern Indiana would cut the lead to as little as 2 in the fourth, but Jaliyah Green took over down the stretch scoring 7 of her team-high 20 points in clutch time.

Green was determined to will her team to victory down the stretch.

“I got mad,” Green said. “I was just doing what I had to do.”

“I think that was the switch she needed to elevate to the next level,” Patterson said.

Saturday’s win over Southern Indiana put the Redhawks back in the OVC Tournament, after missing the tournament a season ago.

“It feels good,” Patterson said. “Our theme this year was redemption. I thought this game today was a great example of a team showing the grit, resilience and toughness that it takes to have a season of redemption.”

Following up Green’s 20-point night was Henderson with 14 points, Kennedi Watkins with 8 points, Sophie Bussard with 7 points, Halle Smith with 6 points, Diona Reed with 4 points, Tamia Stallings with 3 points and Kiyley Flowers with 1 point.

SEMO (13-14) will be back in action at 5:30 p.m. Thursday when the Redhawks travel to take on Lindenwood in St. Charles.