Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team loses to SIUE

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team got off to just the start it was looking for Monday night.

Unfortunately for the Redhawks, they couldn't keep up their strong pace.

Southeast scored the game's first seven points, but SIU Edwardsville took control midway through the opening half and rolled to a 58-43 victory at the Show Me Center.

The Redhawks fell to 4-15 overall and 1-5 in Ohio Valley Conference play as they concluded a stretch that saw them play five of their first six OVC games at home.

First-year OVC member SIU Edwardsville improved to 10-7 and 4-2.

Southeast Missouri State players huddle during the second half of Monday’s game against SIU Edwardsville at the Show Me Center. (Laura Simon)

"They're giving me everything they have," said first-year Southeast coach Ty Margenthaler, who took over a struggling program and is in total rebuilding mode. "That's all I can ask for as a coach."

Southeast got off to the quick 7-0 start by hitting three of its first five field-goal attempts. But the Redhawks soon went cold.

"We got off to a 7-0 lead. It was good," junior forward Brittany Harriel said. "They switched to a zone, and it threw us for a loop a little bit."

Southeast struggled to hit outside shots against SIUE's zone. The Redhawks made just 3 of their final 16 field-goal attempts in the opening period as the Cougars led 31-18 at the break.

"I know we have good shooters. We can shoot," junior center Courtney Shiffer said.

Southeast Missouri State’s Karley Evans shoots against SIU Edwardsville during the second half Monday.

Harriel and Shiffer, Southeast's primary post players, combined to make 9 of 14 field goals.

Harriel went 6 of 8 and scored 13 points. She grabbed 10 rebounds for her team-high fifth double-double of the season and seventh of her career. She added three steals and two blocks.

Shiffer scored 12 points on 3 of 6 shooting from the floor. She made 6 of 6 free throws and pullled down six rebounds.

"I thought Brittany and Courtney both brought their ‘A' games on both ends," Margenthaler said. "I was really pleased with our post game.

"Unfortunately it's been a struggle for our guards. We're just not shooting well."

Southeast hit 16 of 49 from the field, finishing at 32.7 percent. They made just 1 of 16 3-pointers (6.3 percent).

SIU started the game 2 of 11 but made 11 of its final 18 first-half shots. The Cougars finished at 40.7 percent.

Junior forward Michaela Herrod paced SIUE with 12 points and nine rebounds. The Cougars are fifth in the 11-team OVC while Southeast is 10th.

"They're well balanced," Margenthaler said. "They're definitely top five in this league in my opinion."

A 3-pointer by sophomore guard Jazmin Hill with 8 minutes, 58 seconds left in the first half gave SIUE its first lead at 13-11.

The Cougars steadily increased their advantage. A 17-foot jumper at the buzzer by Herrod sent SIUE to the break up 31-18.

Southeast got within nine points early in the second half, but SIU led by at least 10 points for the final 16 minutes. The Cougars' biggest margin was 18 points.

"They're good," Harriel said. "I feel like they were beatable. They gave us opportunities. We just couldn't capitalize."

The Redhawks play three of their next four games on the road beginning Saturday at Tennessee Tech.