Redhawks women fizzle in second half of loss

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team played defending Ohio Valley Conference regular-season champion Eastern Illinois even for one half.

That was the extent of Saturday's good news for the Redhawks, who were outscored by 25 points in the second half as host EIU ran way to a 74-49 victory in Charleston, Ill.

Southeast (7-15, 3-9) remained seventh in the 10-team OVC. The Redhawks have lost three straight and four of five.

The Panthers (12-11, 7-5) are in fifth place after their third consecutive win.

Southeast gave EIU a battle for about 30 minutes when the squads met Jan. 8 in Cape Girardeau. The Redhawks trailed by five points midway through the second half but lost 68-43 in that game.

This time the Redhawks gave the Panthers a battle for 20 minutes.

Southeast led 14-8 and the squads were tied 26-26 at halftime.

But EIU scored the first seven points of the second half and never looked back.

The Panthers opened the period on a 17-4 run to go ahead 43-30. Southeast got no closer than 10 points.

Sophomore forward Brittany Harriel had a strong game for Southeast with 17 points, five rebounds, four blocks and two steals. She hit 5 of 7 field goals, including 3 of 5 3-pointers, and was perfect in four trips to the line.

Sophomore forward Bailie Roberts hit 5 of 6 field goals and added 12 points.

Sophomore center Courtney Shiffer led Southeast rebounders with seven and also blocked four shots.

Kelsey Wiss led four EIU players in double figures with 17 points. She connected on 5 of 8 3-pointers.

EIU had a 41-26 rebounding advantage after the squads were tied on the boards at halftime. Southeast is the OVC's worst rebounding team.

The Redhawks, who have been plagued by turnovers all season, committed 27 turnovers.

EIU had a big advantage from the free-throw line, making 23 of 28 compared to 8 of 11 for the Redhawks.

Southeast had only eight available players. Sophomore guard Shelah Fields did not make the trip following a death in her family.

Fields planned to join the squad after attending the funeral in St. Louis but could not due to the winter storm.

The Redhawks return to action Thursday at Eastern Kentucky.