Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Eastern Kentucky cut an eight-point deficit to a single point three and a half minutes into the second half, but Southeast Missouri responded with an 8-0 run and defeated the Lady Colonels 71-54 Saturday.

Sophomore Nadia Mossong led EKU (6-10, 3-5 OVC) with 14 points. Senior Ilona Muszak scored a career-best 12 points on four three-pointers.

Four players reached double figures for SEMO (8-9, 4-3 OVC) led by Tarina Nixon’s game-high 17 points. Lauren Sharpe finished with 16 points. Crysta Glenn grabbed a game-best 10 rebounds.

The two teams got off to a slow start, combining for four points in the first four minutes. A three-pointer by Mossong tied the game at 14-14 with 11:44 remaining in the first half. An old-fashioned three-point play by Kayla Drake gave the visitors a 21-20 lead with 9:36 to go in the opening half.

A free throw by Glenn and a basket by Sharpe pushed the Redhawks in front by three, 28-25, with 5:58 to play before halftime. Muszak’s three with 3:23 showing on the clock put the Lady Colonels back on top 31-30. Sonya Daugherty answered with a three for SEMO to move the home team back on top by two.

Daugherty’s three-pointer and a pair of free throws by Amber Holmes in the final minute sent Southeast Missouri to the locker room with a six-point lead, 40-34.

The Redhawks opened the second half with a steal and a lay-up to extend their lead to eight. However, EKU scored seven straight to close within one. Colette Cole’s basket made it a 42-41 game with 16:28 remaining in the game.

SEMO answered with an 8-0 run of its own to build a nine-point advantage. Back-to-back baskets by Nixon, the second with 13:01 left to play, made it a 50-41 game. EKU had a chance to cut the deficit to four with 9:50 showing on the clock, but Drake’s three-point attempt went in and out.

The Redhawks maintained a comfortable edge the rest of the game.

Southeast held a 39-31 rebounding edge and committed only nine turnovers, compared to 20 for Eastern Kentucky. Despite an 11 turnover differential, the Redhawks only out-scored EKU 19-16 off turnovers.

The Lady Colonels will conclude their three-game road trip on Monday when they face Southern Illinois Edwardsville at 6 p.m. ET.