Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – A late third quarter scoring drought that included just one free throw in the final five minutes of the third quarter doomed Eastern Kentucky in a 60-44 loss to Southeast Missouri on Saturday at McBrayer Arena.
 
The Colonels (8-13, 2-8 OVC) scored the first seven points of the game and nine of the first 11 after a lay-up by I'Liyah Green.  Another Green lay-up had EKU in front 12-6 after the first quarter.
 
The Redhawks (16-5, 8-2 OVC) began the second quarter with a 12-2 run to take a four-point lead.  A 3-pointer by Carrie Shephard with 4:32 left in the period completed the run and put the visitors in front 18-14.  SEMO moved ahead by seven late in the second but a lay-up from Green with 34 seconds on the clock sent Eastern to the locker room down five, 26-21.
 
Southeast Missouri out-rebounded the Colonels by 12 in the first half and turned 10 offensive rebounds into nine second-chance points.
 
Eastern Kentucky scored four of the first six points of the third quarter to get within three, 28-25.  A 3-pointer by Catie Kaifes with 5:40 left in the third made it a two-point game, 30-28.  However, the Colonels scored just one point, a free throw at the 3:31 mark, the rest of the period. 
 
The Redhawks took control by out-scoring EKU 10-1 to close out the third and stretching the run to 16-1 to start the fourth.  When Jocelyn Taylor knocked down a jumper with 7:44 left in the game, SEMO had a 46-29 advantage.  Maleah Bell's lay-up and free throw with 7:40 to play ended an eight minute drought without a field goal for the Colonels.
 
Green led Eastern Kentucky with a game-best 17 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field.  She also grabbed 14 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season.
 
Tesia Thompson and Shephard had 13 points each for Southeast Missouri.  Thompson also had 12 rebounds.  Denisha Gardener contributed six points and 13 rebounds.
 
Eastern shot 28 percent from the field for the game.  The Redhawks hit on 35 percent of their shots, including 54 percent in the fourth quarter.
                                                                                                                         
EKU will play its next four games on the road, beginning Thursday at Eastern Illinois.  Tip-off in Charleston is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. ET.