Southeast women's basketball team surges in second half to roll past Maryville

By MARTY MISHOW ~ Southeast Missourian

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team had trouble with Maryville University for most of the first half.

But Southeast controlled virtually the entire second half and rolled 86-72 in their lone exhibition game Saturday night at the Show Me Center.

"It's always nice to have that first exhibition game under your belt," Southeast coach Ty Margenthaler said. "Overall I was pleased with some of our performances."

Margenthaler thought the Saints, who went 19-10 last year and won the Great Lakes Valley Conference West Division, would provide Southeast a solid challenge.

Maryville did, at least for a while. Although the Saints' only lead was 3-2, they trailed just 30-29 late in the first half.

Southeast opened up a 44-34 advantage at the intermission and steadily pulled away in the second half. The Redhawks led by double figures for nearly the final 16 minutes and their largest advantage was 21 points.

"They were really good, physical. ... They wouldn't give up," senior forward Patricia Mack said.

Two of Southeast's top returning players sparked the victory and Margenthaler also liked what he saw out of several newcomers.

Junior guard Allyson Bradshaw, a Notre Dame Regional High School graduate who averaged 8.2 points per contest last year, has primarily been a 3-point shooter during her Southeast career.

Bradshaw wants to diversify her offense more this season and Saturday she scored quite a few of her game-high 24 points on drives to the basket. She hit 8 of 16 field goals, including 2 of 5 3-pointers, and made 6 of 8 free throws.

"It worked for me tonight," said a smiling Bradshaw, whose 82 career 3-pointers in just two seasons are tied for eighth in program history. "I can't always rely on my 3-pointer. I want to be more well-rounded."

Mack had a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. She hit 6 of 10 shots, all from within a few feet.

"It was awesome. I think we did great," said Mack, whose 9.3 rebounding average last year ranked fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference as she recorded the seventh-most rebounds in program history and the third-highest figure since Southeast moved up to Division I in 1991-92.

Said Margenthaler: "Ally Bradshaw really started attacking the rim really well and it opened things up for some other players. Tricia Mack, I was very pleased with the way she finished around the rim."

Sophomore guard Olivia Hackmann added 10 points and three steals.

Senior point guard Jordan Hunter, Southeast top returning scorer (9.1 ppg), had eight points.

Sophomore guard Kara Wright, the Redhawks' second-leading returning scorer (8.5 ppg), contributed seven points and five assists.

Margenthaler singled out two newcomers -- five saw action while two are out with injuries -- for especially solid performances.

Quick freshman guard Brianna Mitchell scored all seven of her points in the second half. She added four assists, second on the squad.

"I think the fans saw how explosive she is," Margenthaler said.

Freshman forward Brittany Harris, a Dexter High School graduate, had five points, four rebounds and two steals.

"I thought did a great job," Margenthaler said.

Junior college transfer forward Hillary Lively added five points and three rebounds.

Southeast shot a solid 45.3 percent, held Maryville to 33.9 percent, had a 48-37 rebounding advantage and hit 23 of 36 free throws.

"I thought we rebounded well, and getting to the free-throw line. ... that's something we didn't do enough last year," Bradshaw said.

Southeast opens the season Friday at Alabama A&M.