Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team exhibits improved offense in 93-46 win vs. Harris-Stowe

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team already is off to a better start than a year ago.

Southeast lost both its exhibition games against NAIA squads last season, which foreshadowed an 8-21 season and a coaching change.

The Redhawks unofficially began the Ty Margenthaler era Monday, crushing NAIA opponent Harris-Stowe 93-46 at the Show Me Center in their only exhibition contest.

"I thought we played well. We worked together. Everyone stepped up and played hard," junior forward Brittany Harriel said. "It's a new year, a new beginning. It's a great way to start off the year."

Margenthaler will coach his first official collegiate game Friday, when Southeast visits North Carolina State.

Southeast Missouri State's Allyson Bradshaw steals the ball from Harris-Stowe's Alexis Minner, left, as Southeast's Brittany Harriel, left, and Harris-Stowe's KeAris Vaughn look on during the second half of their exhibition game Monday at the Show Me Center.

While that will be a daunting challenge for the Redhawks, Margenthaler liked what he saw Monday.

"Overall I'm pleased. I thought the effort was tremendous," Margenthaler said. "The thing I'm most proud of is we played for 40 minutes. At times it was ugly, but I really liked the effort."

Harris-Stowe, a St. Louis school that went 3-28 last year, built early leads of 6-0 and 13-9, The Redhawks committed five turnovers on their first six possessions.

Southeast took control with a 20-0 run that featured eight points from junior center Courtney Shiffer and five from freshman guard Allyson Bradshaw, a Notre Dame Regional High School graduate.

The Hornets went scoreless for more than six minutes in falling behind 29-13. Southeast led 35-23 at halftime and broke the game open in the final period, outscoring the Hornets 58-23.

Southeast Missouri State's Bailie Roberts takes a shot over Harris-Stowe's Kayla Fisher during the second half of their exhibition game.

"I think as a team we were all really excited to play," Shiffer said. "We gave great effort. We played great as a team."

Harriel had a double-double with game highs of 19 points and 16 rebounds as Southeast outrebounded the Hornets 51-32. She hit 7 of 11 field-goal attempts.

"We really crashed the boards," Margenthaler said.

Shiffer and junior forward Bailie Roberts each scored 17 points. Shiffer was 7 of 8 from the floor and grabbed nine rebounds.

Bradshaw had seven points. Guard Yelena Rosado, Southeast's other true freshman scholarship player, contributed nine points, four assists and three steals.

Southeast Missouri State coach Ty Margenthaler talks to players during a timeout during the first half of their exhibition game against Harris-Stowe on Monday at the Show Me Center. Margenthaler was making his collegiate coaching debut in Southeast's 93-46 victory.

Margenthaler had praise for senior point guard Bianca Beck. She made her only shot, a 3-pointer, while recording seven assists against no turnovers. She added two steals and two blocks.

"I was extremely pleased with Bianca Beck," Margenthaler said. "I ride her pretty hard. She knows that. For us to be successful, she needs to be solid."

Southeast, which averaged 51.4 points per game a year ago, surpassed that with more than 13 minutes still to play.

"It's always nice to put up points," Margenthaler said.

The Redhawks' shot 50.7 percent from the field (34 of 67), thanks largely to 46 points in the paint. Southeast shot 63.6 percent in the second half. The Redhawks made just 6 of 24 3-pointers (25 percent).

Harris-Stowe shot just 27.5 percent from the floor (14 of 51) and had no fast-break baskets, which Margenthaler pointed out.

Margenthaler said he liked the way the Redhawks handled Harris-Stowe's full-court press. Southeast finished with 15 turnovers, just five in the second half.

"I was very pleased with the way we handled their pressure," Margenthaler said.

The Hornets attempted 29 free throws.

"We put them on the free-throw line too many times," Margenthaler said. "We need to become a better defensive team."

Twelve of Southeast's 13 players saw action, the exception being junior guard Katie Norman. She is out indefinitely with back problems that have lingered for several months.