SEMO throttles SIUE for third conference win

The SEMO Women’s basketball team defeated the SIUE Cougars 86-72 on Saturday at the Show Me Center. The Redhawks had five players score in double-figures and leading the pack was junior forward Jaliyah Green with 22 points.

Junior Kiyley Flowers proved to be a major difference maker in the game as the guard had 15 points, six assists, five rebounds and five steals. Flowers said she was doing whatever she could to help the team.

“I know when I'm executing and contributing in all aspects, it's easier and beneficial for my teammates. I know that I can get Jaliyah and anyone else who can score the ball, I know I can get them the ball and I know they have my assists,” Flowers said. “Then once they start scoring, I know the lanes will open up for me and then that's whenever I just take what I have.”

The Redhawks held a 21-16 lead after the first quarter because of their strong shooting percentage, 50% for the quarter. SIUE stayed in it with over 50% shooting from three but was unable to score anywhere else.

SEMO head coach Rekha Patterson said the balanced offense in the quarter caused the Cougars to struggle on defense.

“We do have scorers, we have people that can put the ball in the hole. The more balance we can have, the more it opens up things for Jahliyah Green, Alecia Doyle and Kiyley Flowers,” Patterson said. “I know Alecia might not have scored a whole lot of points today but I thought her defense especially in our 1-3-1 was amazing, she gave the effort that you have to give to have success.”

While SIUE continued to rain threes, they simply could not stop the Redhawks’ hot-shooting as SEMO led by 10 at the half. The turnovers caused by the Redhawk defense killed the Cougars throughout the game, as SIUE turned the ball over 20 times.

Patterson said their defense in the second half tried to make the Cougars uncomfortable from the outside.

“We went to our zone, our 1-3-1 we talked about the ball pressure and our activity. If you let SIUE be comfortable, they can shoot from three, they shot 13 for 28,” Patterson said. “We needed to make them uncomfortable and create turnovers because that's when we're playing our best basketball and I think we were able to capitalize on that.”

The second half went without any problems for the Redhawks as SIUE got in foul trouble and sent SEMO to the charity stripe for 14 free throws, scoring 11 of them. SEMO held on to the lead throughout the second half for the 14-point victory.

The Redhawks have a long road trip before they return to the Show Me Center on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1:30 p.m. to take on Western Illinois for the second time this season.