Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team records first win away from home

~ Southeast beat Longwood in its final game at the Wright State tournament

Brittany Harriel's big performance helped the Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team notch its first win away from Cape Girardeau this season.

Harriel, a junior forward, scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds Tuesday as the Redhawks held off Longwood 56-52 in the final game of the three-day Wright State tournament in Dayton, Ohio.

Southeast, which had lost its first two tournament contests, improved to 3-10 and snapped a three-game losing streak. The Lancers, who went 0-3 in the tournament, fell to 2-10.

Harriel, a Cincinnati native playing in her home state, posted her third career double-double. Her 18 points are the most by a Southeast player this year and the 13 rebounds tied her career high.

Harriel scored 16 points in the second half, including nine of Southeast's final 10 points. She hit 8 of 9 free throws, including two with 9 seconds left that sealed the victory.

"Brittany did some outstanding things. She was really aggressive and got to the free-throw line," Southeast coach Ty Margenthaler. "I'm really proud of the girls."

Southeast was 21 of 26 from the foul line for 80.8 percent. The Redhawks made 16 of 19 (84.2 percent) in the second half.

"We made the free throws when it really counted," Margenthaler said.

Senior guard Karley Evans added 11 points for Southeast, while junior forward Bailie Roberts scored nine points.

The Redhawks trailed just once during a first half that saw them lead by 12 points before Longwood pulled within 30-28 at the break.

Southeast built two eight-point leads in the second half before the Lancers rallied again.

Longwood took a pair of one-point leads, but Harriel's two free throws with 5 minutes, 44 seconds left put Southeast back on top 48-47.

The Redhawks never relinquished the lead, although Longwood had several late chances to go ahead.

Southeast is finished with its nonconference schedule after playing 10 of 13 games away from home.

The Redhawks begin Ohio Valley Conference play Dec. 28 when Morehead State visits the Show Me Center. Southeast has five of its first six OVC games at home.