Southeast women take lone tuneup

Southeast Missouri State's women's basketball team pulled away in the second half to win its only exhibition game.

The Redhawks eased past Division III Maryville University 84-65 on Saturday night at the Show Me Center.

Southeast outscored the Saints 39-26 in the final period after the Redhawks led just 45-39 at the intermission.

"It's early, but this game served its purpose," Southeast coach John Ishee said.

Maryville, from suburban St. Louis, went 24-4 last season. The Saints have won 76 straight St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games and have earned three straight NCAA tournament berths.

Five players scored in double figures for Southeast, led by senior wing Sonya Daugherty and senior forward Crystal Glenn with 16 points apiece.

Daugherty hit just 2 of 10 field-goal attempts, but made 11 of 12 free throws. All of her points came in the first half.

Glenn added team highs of seven rebounds and four assists. She was 8 of 8 from the line.

Ishee was impressed with freshman point guard Bianca Beck, who started because of an injury to senior Tarina Nixon.

Beck scored 12 points while adding four steals and two assists. She hit 2 of 3 3-pointers.

"Bianca played extremely well," Ishee said.

Senior forward Rachel Blunt also scored 12 points for the Redhawks, while sophomore guard Lauren Sharpe added 10 points off the bench.

"We were a little sloppy with too many turnovers [16], but I thought we competed hard," Ishee said.

Ishee expects Nixon, who injured a finger in Friday's practice, to be ready when Southeast opens the season Friday night at home against Missouri State.