Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team picks up first OVC win

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team fell just short in its first two Ohio Valley Conference games, losing to Morehead State and Murray State by a combined nine points.

Southeast left no room for doubt Monday night, taking out its frustrations against Jacksonville State.

The Redhawks gave first-year coach Ty Margenthaler his inaugural OVC victory, routing the visiting Gamecocks 66-48.

"I was really proud. It's really good for these girls," Margenthaler said. "We're in every game. We're giving ourselves a chance to win."

Southeast improved to 4-12 overall and 1-2 in league play. JSU fell to 3-13 and 0-3 with its seventh consecutive loss.

Southeast Missouri State's Bailie Roberts goes in for a layup as Jacksonville State's Miranda Cantrell looks on during the second half.

"It's kind of gratifying to know our hard work is paying off," senior point guard Bianca Beck said. "We needed a win bad."

The Redhawks trailed most of the way in their opening two conference contests but rallied to nearly win both.

Southeast turned the tables Monday, leading virtually wire to wire. There was one tie at 2-2, but JSU never was ahead. The Redhawks led 33-18 at halftime.

JSU, after falling behind by 17 points early in the second half, pulled to within six points twice in the opening nine minutes of the period. But the Redhawks asserted themselves again and led by 20 points down the stretch.

"I think we put it together," junior forward Brittany Harriel said. "After those two games [against Morehead and Murray], we realized we have to play all 40 minutes."

Harriel had her third double-double in the past four games with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

"I think I'm starting to get into the role the team and coaches have given me," Harriel said.

Junior center Courtney Shiffer had one of her top offensive performances of the season, scoring 12 points on 5 of 9 shooting. She also had four steals.

"I just came in trying to play my game and shoot the open shot," Shiffer said.

Beck tied a career high by leading the Redhawks with 13 points, nine coming from the free-throw line. She scored 12 points in the second half.

Beck also had another impressive floor game with five assists against just one turnover in 37 minutes. She added five rebounds and a career-high five steals.

"What a night she had. She's really being that leader for us," Margenthaler said.

Junior forward Bailie Roberts was a fourth double-figure scorer for Southeast with 11 points.

Southeast allowed season-low totals in points and field-goal percentage (29.7) while forcing a season-high 25 turnovers. The Redhawks, who committed 17 turnovers, had a 25-6 edge in points off turnovers.

Southeast also continued its offensive improvement. Although the Redhawks entered play last in the OVC in scoring at 51.2 points per game they have averaged 66 points in their past three contests.

"We're sharing the ball really well. We're having players step up and make shots," Margenthaler said.

The Redhawks shot a season-high 44 percent from the field, marking their third game of better than 40 percent, although they made just 1 of 11 3-pointers. JSU also struggled from beyond the arc, hitting 1 of 17.

Southeast had a big advantage from the free-throw line, making 21 of 26 (80.8 percent) compared to 9 of 15 (60 percent) for JSU.

"We got to the line and we made free throws," said Margenthaler, whose squad struggled from the charity stripe in its two previous games.

Southeast used two first-half runs to grab control. The Redhawks scored eight consecutive points to open a 13-4 lead, and a 9-0 run burst late in the period gave them a 24-11 advantage. Harriel's follow shot at the buzzer made it 33-18.

"It's something we aren't really used to," Beck said about having a big lead.

JSU outrebounded Southeast 15-3 over the first eight-plus minutes of the second half. The Gamecocks grabbed eight offensive rebounds during that stretch, helping them pull within 39-33 and 41-35.

But JSU got no closer as Southeast steadily extended its lead.

Margenthaler did not like the fact JSU outrebounded Southeast 47-34, including 23-7 on the offensive glass. But overall he was satisfied.

"I thought at times we did some really good things," Margenthaler said.

Junior center Danielle Vaughn had a big performance for JSU with 20 points and 16 rebounds.

Southeast, which has played its first three OVC games at home, opens its conference road schedule Saturday with a 3 p.m. tipoff at Eastern Kentucky.