Redhawks sweep games in Alabama

~ Southeast women defeat Jacksonville State 83-71, improve to 3-1 in the OVC.

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. -- Southeast Missouri State women's basketball coach John Ishee wasn't enamored with his team's 23 turnovers.

Ishee also could have done without Southeast's 22 personal fouls.

But all in all, Ishee couldn't have imagined Thursday night's game going much better for the Redhawks.

Southeast finished its two-game road swing to Alabama with a dominating 83-71 win against Jacksonville State.

The Redhawks returned home having somewhat restored order following a five-game losing streak that included a setback in their Ohio Valley Conference opener.

Southeast (7-5, 3-1) now has won three straight, including Tuesday's nine-point victory at Samford.

"Any time it's the second leg of a road trip, Tuesday-Thursday, it's tough," said Ishee, whose squad is in the midst of playing six of seven OVC contests away from home. "There were some things we could have done better, but overall I'm totally happy."

Although JSU (5-6, 2-2) made the final score respectable, the Redhawks were in control throughout as they led from start to finish, including 40-22 at halftime.

"On the road, you always want to get off to a good start," senior guard Ashley Lovelady said.

Said junior forward Rachel Blunt: "A fast start is always a goal, but it doesn't always happen. Tonight we actually played well right from the beginning."

Junior wing player Sonya Daugherty, in her second game back after missing one contest due to a team suspension, topped 20 points for the second straight time. She led the Redhawks with 22 points, after netting 21 at Samford. She made 3-of-5 3-pointers while adding team highs of seven rebounds, six assists and four steals.

"Sonya had an outstanding game," Ishee said.

Senior point guard Tarina Nixon scored a season-high 17 points to go along with five assists and four steals. She made 3-of-4 3-pointers.

Lovelady also reached a season high with 16 points, eight in the final minute, to help the Redhawks finish off JSU. She went 6-of-6 from the free-throw line in the last minute.

Blunt scored 11 points to reach double figures for the fifth time in the past six games.

"It's mostly confidence, and I've been working on my shot," Blunt said.

Senior center Missy Whitney, who returned to play at Samford after missing two games with a foot injury, was a fifth double-figure scorer for Southeast with 12 points.

"That's the most balanced scoring we've had all year," Ishee said.

After shooting a dismal 28.9 percent from 3-point range in their first 10 games, the Redhawks had their second straight strong showing from beyond the arc.

Southeast, which made 9-of-18 3-pointers at Samford, hit 7-of-14 from long distance against JSU.

The Redhawks also sizzled from the free-throw line at 28-of-33 (84.8 percent) and forced 25 turnovers.

Southeast scored 10 of the game's first 12 points and never really was threatened.

The Redhawks, who led by 18 points at halftime, were ahead by double digits for all but a few seconds of the final period.

"I think we're starting to come together," Lovelady said.

Southeast is off until Dec. 29, when the Redhawks face Buffalo in a nonconference game at the Show Me Center.

The Redhawks' next OVC contest will be Jan. 5 at Eastern Illinois.