Semoball

SEMO women trail from near outset in road loss

The Southeast Missouri State women’s basketball team scored the game’s first basket, but never led again in sustaining its first loss of the season, a 69-64 setback Tuesday to Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Southeast’s Carrie Shepard hit on a 3-pointer 16 seconds into the game for the first of her game-high 31 points, but the Eagles answered on a 3-pointer 15 seconds later and went ahead for good on a layup by Kiara Johnson with 8:31 left in the first quarter.

The lead grew to as many as 16 points in the second quarter, which ended with EMU (2-2) holding a 35-21 lead over Southeast (3-1).

The Redhawks still trailed by 13 points, 47-34, with 2:40 left in the third quarter before closing with a 7-0 burst, a layin by Shephard cutting the deficit to 47-41.

EMU restored a 10-point lead with 8:17 left in the game, but Southeast rallied to within 53-51 with 5:42 left on a jumper byJessie Harshberger.

Southeast again got within two points with two minutes left on a free throw by Sophie Bussard that cut the deficit to 59-57, and later moved to within 65-64 with 26 seconds left on a 3-pointer by Shephard.

However, EMU opened a 67-64 lead on pair of free throws by Jenna Annecchiarico with 20 seconds left, and Southeast misfired on a pair of Shephard 3-pointers on its next possession before fouling EMU’s Natalia Pineda with four seconds left. She hit both free throws to secure the win.

Shephard connected on 6 of 17 3-point attempts and was 11 of 27 from the field overall. She also hit on 3 of 4 free throws.

Roshala Scott scored 11 points and was the only other Redhawk in double-figure scoring. Harshberger had a team-high 10 rebounds.

Southeast held a 50-40 rebounding edge, but committed 18 turnovers to just 12 for EMU.

The Redhawks shot 35.3% from the field (24-68), while EMU shot 38.7% (25-66). As a team, Southeast hit on 7 of 31 3-pointers (22.6%). EMU connected on 8 of 27 shots (29.6%) from behind the arc.

Aaliyah Stanley was the lone EMU player to reach double figures, finishing with 24 points.

Noteworthy

Southeast junior guard Tesia Thompson was named the Ohio Valley Conference Co-Player of the Week after scoring 26 points and grabbing seven rebounds in a 79-67 victory over Arkansas State.

Next

Southeast returns to action Thurday when it visits Purdue Fort Wayne for a 6 p.m. contest.

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