Jessie Harshberger steps into void for Southeast Missouri State women's basketball, makes impact vs. Eastern Kentucky

The Southeast Missouri State women’s basketball team knew it was going to need extra contributions from secondary places on Saturday. With two starters unavailable, it was a necessity.

It got those contributions, including a strong performance from sophomore Jessie Harshberger, in the 69-55 Ohio Valley Conference win over Eastern Kentucky at the Show Me Center.

The Redhawks have been without senior guard Ashton Luttrull for three games due to injury, but had an additional void against the Colonels after sophomore starting guard Iyanna McCurdy went home following a death in the family.

On Saturday, Harshberger helped set the tone in their absence, getting the start and scoring seven first-half points during a welcome strong opening stretch for SEMO.

“I thought Jessie was big in that first half. She was really, really big,” Southeast coach Rekha Patterson said. “She took advantage of her moment and the moment.”

The 5-foot-10 native of Dodge City, Kansas, played a career-high 28 minutes against EKU. Her previous high of 20 minutes came earlier this season against Division II opponent Missouri Valley College.

She made the most of those minutes, going 3 of 4 from the field in the first half, including just her second career 3-pointer — the first came in Thursday’s game against Morehead State; her four rebounds matched a career mark.

Even knowing she would have to carry some extra responsibility, Harshberger said she didn’t feel any extra weight.

“I feel like there should have been some nervousness, but honestly, no, I wasn’t feeling much pressure,” the sophomore said. “I don’t know why. There was just something with us tonight, just a confidence we had, even though we had four guards it just seemed like it was going to be OK.”

While the first-half offensive contributions were notable, it was clear that Harshberger was, more than anything, put on the floor to be a defensive watchdog. When the Redhawks set up in a man-to-man defense with Harshberger on the floor, she was typically matched up with EKU’s best player, A’Queen Hayes.

“It was an emphasis on defense especially,” Harshberger said of her pregame instructions. “… Especially me moving my feet and being quick and staying in front of [Hayes], that was a big part of it. I just kept that in mind, and know who the shooters are and who’s not shooters.

“Knowing the game plan and going through that in shootaround and talking about it before the game, I’d say all of that helped.”

Fueled by 24 steals, Southeast Missouri State women's basketball rolls past Eastern Kentucky 69-55

Josh Mlot ~ Southeast Missourian

After back-to-back poor starts led to games the Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team could have won and didn't, the message was simple coming in to Saturday's contest against Eastern Kentucky. ...

Hayes finished with 13 points, below her average of 14.8 per game, and shot 1 of 7 in the first half, when Harshberger played 16 of her 28 minutes.

“I think Jessie is an amazing defender and I think she can be an amazing defensive player because of her athleticism, because of her size, because of her ability to never be out of a play,” Patterson said.

“I think she took that challenge on. … She’s growing. She’s getting more minutes, she’s becoming more confident and her teammates believe in her, and she was able to do very well tonight.”

An uptick in confidence has been noticeable at times this season for the sophomore, who has shown flashes of a growing contributor. Last season she scored seven points once, and it was her season high. This season she’s more regularly been on the scoresheet, including a 12-point effort in that game against MVC.

The confidence to take and hit an open 3 and to defensively take on the opposition’s most dangerous threat are a testament to her continued development.

“In my off time when I’m not playing basketball I do a lot of training my mind, which has helped with my confidence in my shot,” Harshberger said. “That was what was missing, was definitely my confidence. I just need to continue to keep working on that.”